M. CHAPOUTIER COTES DU ROUSSILLON -VILLAGES LES VIGNES DE BILA-HAUT FRANCE
RHONE BLENDS RED
2008
(NO.75)
WINE SPECTATOR RATING: 90
Color is deep red garnet & on the nose black cherries. Mouth is well-structured with sweet meaty tannins.The wine had the heat and wildness of the Roussillon area.
A muscular red, with concentrated flavors of dark cherry, plum, raspberry tart and grilled fig. The dense finish of dark chocolate is firm and focused, with smoky notes.
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DOMAINE VINDEMIO AMADEUS FRANCE
RHONE BLENDS RED
2007
ROBERT PARKER RATING: 93
The compelling 2007 Cotes du Ventoux Amadeus is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah aged in cement tanks for six months. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by a beautiful bouquet of kirsch, raspberry liqueur, black fruits, roasted meats, and Provencal herbs. Deep and concentrated with good acids (due to this high elevation, cool climate area), and a sensational finish, this utterly profound wine is fairly priced given its high quality.
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PIANCORNELLO RISERVA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
ITALIAN RED WINES
2001
WINE SPECTATOR RATING: 91
Enticing blackberry, floral and cedar. Full-bodied, with layers of ripe tannins and loads of fruit. Massive wine. Chewy. Bit coarse but impressive. Very extracted.
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DOMAINE DE VILLENEUVE "LES VIEILLES VIGNES" CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE RHONE
RHONE RED
2007
ROBERT PARKER RATING: 94
This estate did not offer their 2008 for tasting, but they have hit the bull’s eye with their brilliant 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape. Aged 80% in tank and 20% in old barrels, this blend of 70% Grenache, 16% Mourvedre, and the rest Syrah, Cinsault, and the white grape Clairette is made from vines that average 65 years of age (some are over 100 years). This dense ruby/purple-hued offering smells like the essence of raspberry jam intermixed with boysenberries and blueberries. Exceptionally pure, with a layered mouthfeel and sweet tannin, this is undeniably the finest wine made by Proprietor Stanislas Wallut since he purchased Domaine de Villeneuve in 1992. The great oenologist Philippe Cambie consults at this biodynamically farmed property (over 75% of Cambie’s Chateauneuf du Pape clients are biodynamically farmed vineyards – an impressive statistic). This 2007, which was bottled unfiltered, should drink beautifully for 15-20 years. It is undeniably a big-time sleeper of the vintage.
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