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Grape Observer

Grape Observer

A fine wine review focussing on wines from Australia and France (c)

  • Tardieu-Laurent Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2018 Wine Review

    This is Tardieu-Laurent’s “Les Becs Fins” Côtes du Rhône blanc from the 2018 vintage. The 2018 is mostly viognier (40%), marsanne (20%) and roussanne (20%) with clairette and grenache blanc making up the balance. It is unoaked, with low acidity, a thick viscous body, is dry and has typical hay and straw like aromas. Ready […]

    Sean Mitchell

    September 11, 2021
    Wine Reviews
    Côtes du Rhône, Clairette, France, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Rhône Valley, Roussanne, Viognier
  • Domaine Rostaing Côte Rôtie 2016 Wine Review

    This wine review is of a Côte Rôtie from Domaine Rostaing and the 2016 vintage. It’s an outstanding expression of syrah and viognier. In the glass, it is a medium bodied wine that is earthy, spicy and has well integrated and subtle oak that does not present as new barrels. The wine finishes on tannins […]

    Sean Mitchell

    May 8, 2021
    Wine Reviews
    Côte Rôtie, France, Rhône Valley, Syrah, Viognier
  • Maison de Vigneron Grenache Syrah 2018 Wine Review

    This wine review is of Maison de Vigneron’s 2018 grenache syrah from Vaucluse in the southern Rhône Valley in France. It is a modest wine with fruity aromas of red berries that are true to grenache. The palate is full bodied, unoaked, the acidity low to medium and the tannins soft. The focus is on […]

    Sean Mitchell

    January 10, 2021
    Wine Reviews
    France, Grenache, Rhône Valley, Syrah, Vaucluse
  • Tardieu-Laurent Gigondas 2015

    This is a delicious Gigondas from Tardieu Laurent and one of the better wines I have tried from this appellation. It has savoury and immediately appealing aromas of boysenberry, blueberry and well integrated cedar. The palate is full bodied with attractive grippy tannins, a refined balance, medium acidity and ripe boysenberry fruit. Long length on […]

    Sean Mitchell

    November 7, 2020
    Wine Reviews
    France, Gigondas, Grenache, Grenache Blends, Rhône Valley
  • Delas Saint-Esprit Côtes du Rhône 2017

    From Delas, this is a sound Côtes du Rhône rouge from the 2017 vintage.  It has aromas of berry and spices.  The palate is medium bodied with moderate acidity and chalky tannins.  Ready to drink now.  Rating: Good.  Website:  http://www.delas.com/en/; wine-searcher.com.  Reviewed: June 2020.

    Sean Mitchell

    September 4, 2020
    Wine Reviews
    Côtes du Rhône, France, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Rhône Valley, Shiraz
  • Domaine La Roubine La Grange des Briguières Sablet 2017

    Sablet is one of the Côtes du Rhône Villages appellations in the southern Rhône Valley in France. This wine from Domaine de la Roubine is a blend of 70% grenache, 25% syrah and 5% cinsault. It has aromas of stalk, rosemary and a green bouquet garnis character. The palate is full bodied, with medium tannins […]

    Sean Mitchell

    July 17, 2020
    Wine Reviews
    Côtes du Rhône Villages, Cinsault, France, Grenache, Rhône Valley, Sablet, Syrah
  • Cave de Tain Première Note Syrah 2018

    I’ve tasted a couple of vintages now of this entry level syrah from the Cave de Tain and the Collines Rodaniennes IGP in the Rhône Valley, France. The 2016 vintage is reviewed here. The 2018 vintage is also of good quality. It has typical syrah aromas of wet rosemary, spice and bouquet garnis. The Australian […]

    Sean Mitchell

    July 17, 2020
    Wine Reviews
    Collines Rhodaniennes IGP, France, Rhône Valley, Syrah
  • Yann Chave Le Rouvre Crozes Hermitage 2016

    This is an excellent expression of Crozes-Hermitage from Jann Chave in the northern Rhône Valley, one of the region’s stronger producers.  It has cedar and spice aromatics.  The palate reminds of syrah with its pepper and spice character.  Some pastille notes express themselves at intervals.  Overall, this is a very good wine that is enjoyable […]

    Sean Mitchell

    June 20, 2020
    Wine Reviews
    Crozes Hermitage, France, Rhône Valley, Syrah
  • Tardieu-Laurent Côtes du Rhône Villages Les Becs Fins 2017

    This is a heady Côtes du Rhône Villages wine. It opens to spicy and peppery aromatics.  The palate is full bodied and the length on the finish medium. Spices, rosemary and some raisined, but savoury, fruit emerges with time.  Ready to drink now.  Rating: Good. Abv: 14.0.  Price:  $20.  Website:  http://tardieu-laurent.fr/en/la-maison-2/.  Reviewed:  May 2020. 

    Sean Mitchell

    May 28, 2020
    Wine Reviews
    Côtes du Rhône, France, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Rhône Valley, Syrah
  • Coursodon Saint Joseph 2017

    Coursodon Saint Joseph Wine Review

    Sean Mitchell

    February 24, 2020
    Wine Reviews
    France, Rhône Valley, Saint Joseph, Syrah

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