Côtes du Rhône

2005 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Rhône – France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône (9/19/2008) Black cherries, herbs and a hint of liquorice on the enjoyable nose. Nice warm fruit with some pepper and a hint of wood on the palate. A bit restrained, probably good with food. (87 pts.)

2007 Domaine les Hautes Cances Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne – France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne (6/13/2008) Tropical fruits, spicy honey and smokey minerals in the rather closed nose. Ripe, but also fresh on the palate, with good balance between tropical fruit, refreshing acidity, a honeyed component and a hint of spice. Delicious for immediate consumption. > Read more …

2004 Domaine Les Hautes Cances Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne Vieilles Vignes – France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne (6/13/2008) Stable aroma’s, pepper and black fruit on the expressive nose. Balanced, almost Chateauneuf-like palate with expressive, mouth coating black fruit, balancing acidity, pepper, kirsch, leather and sweet, still somewhat biting tannins. Rather long aftertaste. Surprisingly good at > Read more …

2005 Domaine Les Hautes Cances Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne Tradition – France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne (6/15/2008) Meaty, manly nose. Black fruit, spices, kirsch, leather, meat and refreshing acidity on the palate. Needs some time to express itself fully. The second day this hadn’t moved at all. The third day there was more (black berry) > Read more …

2005 Domaine Les Hautes Cances Côtes du Rhône Cuvée Tradition Rouge – France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône (6/17/2008) While clearly a classy wine at the price level, this isn’t expressing itself much on the first day; very closed. Will try again tomorrow. Second day: Meat, spices and pepper on the nose. The palate has opened up a bit: > Read more …