France - Languedoc Roussillon

Transcription

1 France - Languedoc Roussillon Château de Lancyre Located in Pic-Saint-Loup, roughly 20 kilometers inland from the Mediterranean Sea, this estate was built on the ruins of a 12th century fort. Wine has been made here since 1550, though the property deteriorated over the years. The Durand and Valentin families purchased this estate in 1970 and began to restore the buildings and vineyards. They have added vineyards over the years and the estate now consists of 51-hectares of vines located throughout Pic-Saint-Loup. Solid across the board, the wines have classic profiles, with loads of southern France character, yet they all possess beautiful purity of fruit and are very well made. Their top wine, the Grande Cuvée, is easily the most modern and polished of the group, yet is up there with the best of the region and would hold its own in any lineup of southern Rhônes and Languedoc reds. Website: Domaine de Lancyre Vin de Pays du Val Montferrand Roussanne (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Vin de Pays du Val Montferrand) $24 A classic Roussanne, with juicy pear, peach, mineral, herbs, and hints of flowers on the nose, the 2010 Domaine de Lancyre Vin de Pays du Val Montferrand Roussanne is medium-bodied and beautifully balanced and pure, possessing racy acidity, solid concentration, and a focused, pure feel that carries into the finish. There s serious length on the finish, and this top-notch white will compete with much more pricy and prestigious bottlings. It should have upwards of a decade of prime drinking (although the safe bet is to drink over the coming 2-3 years). Don t serve this too cold, and a quick decant won t hurt either. (91 pts.) 2011 Château de Lancyre Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup Rosé (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup) $17 The 2011 Château de Lancyre Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup Rosé (50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Carignan) is a full flavored, yet still crisp and refreshing rosé that possesses a light pink color to go with floral-laced aromas of red cherries, raspberries, underbrush, and spice-like qualities on the nose. Medium-bodied and impressively balanced on the palate, this has enough fruit and texture to fill in nicely for a lighter style red, yet also has the acidity to shine on a hot summer day. It should drink nicely for 1-2 years. (89 pts.) 2009 Château de Lancyre Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup La Coste d Aleyrac (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup) $20 An unoaked blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Carignan, the 2009 Château de Lancyre Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup La Coste d Aleyrac is a lively, pretty red that offers currant bud and red berry-like fruits, licorice, leafy herbs, and pepper styled aromatics. Medium-bodied, well put together, and with solid fruit and mid-palate depth, as well as ripe tannin that frames the finish; this solid Pic St. Loup stays very drinkable and shows good character. It should impress for 3-4 years. (88 pts.)

2 2009 Château de Lancyre Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup Vieilles Vignes (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup) $26 Showing more texture, depth, and structure, the 2009 Château de Lancyre Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup Vieilles Vignes, 65% Syrah and 35% Grenache that sees no oak, possesses a semi-opaque, ruby color to go with excellent aromatics of meaty black cherries, sappy underbrush, licorice, and ground pepper. Savory in style, and showing excellent complexity on the nose, this medium to full-bodied blend has a polished, pure texture, excellent mid-palate concentration, and masses of fine tannin on the chewy, broad finish. Overall, this is a borderline outstanding blend that will be versatile on the dinner table, and evolve gracefully for 5-6 years, possibly longer. (89 pts.) 2009 Château de Lancyre Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup Grande Cuvée (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup) $40 The estate s top cuvee and a blend of 75% Syrah, 15% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre that s aged in a combination of new demi-muid and older barrel, the 2009 Château de Lancyre Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup Grande Cuvée is stunning stuff that delivers brilliant aromas of crème de cassis, toasted spice, mineral, crushed flowers, and a sheen of high class oak on the nose. Tasting more like a young Hermitage (or high class California Syrah for that matter) than a southern Rhone (which is common for wines from Pic St. Loup), this medium to full-bodied, gorgeously textured red has a deep, concentrated mid-palate, perfect balance, integrated acidity, and masses of sweet tannin that emerges on the finish. Exciting stuff and while I have not tasted any aged examples of this cuvee, I can t imagine this not evolving gracefully for upwards of a decade, possibly even longer. Highly recommended and worth seeking out! (93 pts.) 2010 Château de Lancyre Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup La Coste d Aleyrac (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup) $22 Similar to the 09 and an unoaked blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Carignan, the 2010 Château de Lancyre Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup La Coste d Aleyrac delivers loads of character and depth, for not much buck. Possessing excellent, pure aromas of black and black fruits, pepper, Provencal herbs, and sweet spice, this hits the palate with an uncommon level of finesse and elegance (especially at this price point) and possesses perfectly ripe fruit, solid mid-palate concentration, and ripe, polished tannin that focuses and adds length to the finish. While I don t think this will make old bones, it should easily evolve and age gracefully for 3-5 years. (90 pts.) Château du Donjon This top Minervois estate consistently provides solid, character-filled wines, at more than reasonable prices. In addition, the 09 and 10 Grande Tradition cuvees are some of the best wines I have tasted from this estate and offer beautiful purity and richness Château du Donjon Minervois Rosé (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Minervois) $NA An excellent Rosé that always delivers, the 2011 Château du Donjon Minervois Rosé, a blend of 30% Syrah, 30% Cinsault, and 40% Grenache, is juicy and tangy, with loads of cherry, citrus rind, and strawberry aromas and flavors, crisp acidity, and a saline-like minerality that shines on the finish. A textbook rose from the south of France, this delicious wine should be purchased by the case, and consumed over the coming summer months. (89 pts.) 2009 Château du Donjon Minervois Grande Tradition (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Minervois) $17 An excellent vintage for this cuvee, the 2009 Château du Donjon Minervois Grande Tradition is a beautiful, unoaked blend of 40% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 20% Carignan. Possessing an alluring bouquet of currant bud, strawberry, green peppercorns, roasted beef, and bay leaf, this medium-bodied Minervois is beautifully balanced, has a polished, deft texture, and a clean finish. While it is drinking well now, it will continue to develop and age gracefully for 4-6 years, possibly longer. (89 pts.) 2010 Château du Donjon Minervois Grande Tradition (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Minervois) $17 As with the 09, the 2010 Château du Donjon Minervois Grande Tradition is the estate s flagship bottling and is an unoaked blend of 40% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 20% Carignan. Even a touch fuller and richer than the 09, this outstanding Minervois boasts a deep, semi-opaque color to go with scrumptious aromas of sweet black cherries, black currants, peppered steak, and hints of bay leaf in its upfront, balanced, and impeccably proportioned profile. Impressively textured and almost creamy, yet with excellent freshness, purity, and focus, this top notch Languedoc can be consumed now, or cellared for 5-6 years. (90 pts.)

3 Château Malavieille Located in the prime region of the Terrasses de Larzac, this 32-hectare estate has been handed down through the generations, but has now been in the Bertrand family for six generations, with current owner being Mireille Lacas-Bertrand. Website: Domaine de Malavieille Charmilles Rosé (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Vin de Pays d Oc) $14 A complex, fragrant rose, the 2011 Domaine de Malavieille Charmilles Rosé, a blend of 50% Syrah, 20% Cinsault, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache, and the rest a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan, sports a light raspberry color to go with notions of damp underbrush, red currants, strawberry, and mineral on the nose. Upfront and well fruited on the palate, with good texture that is cut by racy acidity, this delicious, quaffable rose is a good value, and will drink admirably over the coming year or two. (87 pts.) 2010 Château Malavieille Alliance Blanc (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc Les Terrasses du Larzac) $24 A blend of 85% Roussanne, 10% Grenache Blanc, and 5% Viognier, the 2010 Château Malavieille Alliance Blanc is a rich, slightly toasty white that delivers copious ripe peach, pear, toasted hazelnut, brioche, and honeycomb like aromas on the nose. This flows to a medium-bodied white that has plenty of heft and concentration that s balanced out perfectly by racy acidity, and a mineral spine that emerges on the finish. Overall, this outstanding white will be incredibly versatile on the dinner table, and drink well for 2-3 years. (90 pts.) 2009 Château Malavieille Rouge Permien (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc Les Terrasses du Larzac) $20 Character filled and interesting, with spice-laden aromas of red berry fruit, leather, crushed stone-like minerality, and garrigue, the 2009 Château Malavieille Coteaux du Languedoc Rouge Permien (named after the Permien clay soils of the estate and a blend of 60% Carignan, 20% Grenache, and 20% Syrah) is medium-bodied, lightly textured, and finesse driven on the palate. It gains richness with air and shows a surprising level of polish to its texture, as well as plenty of ripe tannin and length on the finish. It should drink nicely for 4-6 years. (89 pts.) Château Saint-Baulery 2009 Château Saint-Baulery Saint-Chinian (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Saint-Chinian) $13 Coming from 30+ year-old vines and a stainless steel aged blend of 40% Carignan, 30% Syrah, and 30% Grenache, the 2009 Château Saint-Baulery Saint-Chinian is a borderline outstanding red that displays copious amount of black fruits, olive tapenade, leafy tobacco, and pepper aromatics to go with a medium+ bodied, balanced mouth feel, excellent purity of fruit, and a broad, chewy finish. This is a superb value and a perfect wine for mid-week drinking. It has the balance and structure to age gracefully for 4-5 years, possibly longer. (89 pts.) Domaine de l Edre 2009 Domaine de l Edre Côtes du Roussillon Villages Carrément Rouge (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon Villages) $38 A fantastic Roussillon (that s almost just as good as the much pricier l Edre bottling), the 2009 Domaine de l Edre Côtes du Roussillon Villages Carrément Rouge, an unoaked blend of 46% Syrah, 28% Grenache, 13% Carignan, and 13% Mourvèdre, possesses an inky purple in color to go with outstanding aromatics of licorice-laced black cherries, currant, ripe herb, olive tapenade, roasted meats, and edgy minerality. Medium to full-bodied and impeccably proportioned on the palate, with a seamless, pure texture, integrated acidity, and a fair dose of chewy, yet ripe tannin, this top-notch 2009 should drink beautifully for upwards of a decade. (92 pts.)

4 2009 Domaine de l Edre Côtes du Roussillon Villages l Edre (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon Villages) $63 The estate s flagship wine and a blend of 57% Syrah, 22% Grenache, 14% Carignan, and 7% Mourvèdre that was aged for 12 months in 1-year-old French oak barrels, the 2009 Domaine de l Edre Côtes du Roussillon Villages l Edre boasts brilliant aromatics of smoked blackberries, crème de cassis, leather, crushed flowers, earth, and sweet oak on the nose. This flows to a beautifully proportioned, medium to full-bodied wine that has a voluptuous, rich texture, beautiful precision and focus, and a lengthy, chewy finish. The purity of fruit is something, and this outstanding wine benefits from a decant (even better on the second day), and has upwards of a decade or more of prime drinking. (93 pts.) Domaine Puydeval 2010 Domaine Puydeval Vin de Pays d Oc Rouge (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Vin de Pays d Oc) $15 Plush and creamy, with beautifully pure, ripe aromas of crème de cassis, raspberry ganache, smoke tobacco, and leafy herbs, the 2010 Domaine Puydeval Vin de Pays d Oc Rouge is an outstanding blend of 58% Cabernet Franc, 28% Syrah, 14% Merlot that was aged for 10 months in a combination of American and French oak. Medium to full-bodied, balanced, and beautifully textured, with loads of sweet fruit, a light, elegant mouth feel, and ripe tannin, this fantastic value should be enjoyed over the coming 3-4 years. (90 pts.) Le Mas de Bertrand 2009 Le Mas de Bertrand Coteaux du Languedoc Le Cinq Saint-Saturnin (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc Saint-Saturnin) $25 Delivering a textbook southern France profile of spice-laced red fruits, garrigue, licorice, and saddle leather, the 2009 Le Mas de Bertrand Coteaux du Languedoc Le Cinq Saint-Saturnin is medium-bodied, silky, and polished on the palate, possessing a beautiful texture, sweet fruit, and fine tannin. I m a fan and this is fresh and elegant, with loads of character. It s ready to go now, yet should evolve gracefully for 4-5 years. (90 pts.) 2009 Le Mas de Bertrand Coteaux du Languedoc Le Cinq Montpeyroux (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc Montpeyroux) $25 More dark fruit and mineral-driven than the Saint-Saturnin, the 2009 Le Mas de Bertrand Coteaux du Languedoc Le Cinq Montpeyroux, aged for 15 months in a combination of foudre and French oak (10% new), is loaded with smoky black cherry, licorice, meat juice, and crushed rock-like aromas on the nose. This flows to a medium to full-bodied 2009 that has plenty of richness, juicy acidity, and firm tannin that lengthens the finish. Very well done and a delicious drink, this should continue to impress for 5-6 years. (90 pts.) Les Darons 2010 Les Darons Coteaux du Languedoc (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc) $14 Made by Jeff Carrel and an old vine (40+ years), unoaked blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Carignan, and 15% Syrah that comes from just north of the town of Carcassonne, the 2010 Les Darons Coteaux du Languedoc exhibits an incredibly floral-saturated bouquet of lavender, potpourri, and chamomile that s supported by quality underlying purple fruit and spice nuances. This flows to a medium-bodied, richly textured wine that is balanced, fresh, and has a sweetly fruited, yet broad and chewy finish. Unique and character filled, I would enjoy bottles over the coming 2-3 years, yet it will most likely age longer. (88 pts.) Les Vignerons de Cases de Pene 2011 Les Vignerons de Cases de Pene Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes Penya Rosé (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes) $11 A delicious rose, the 2011 Penya Rosé (named after the Catalan spelling of the nearby village Cases de Pene), a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, possesses a complex array of sweet strawberry, melon, and underbrush that gives way to a medium-bodied, supple, balanced palate. Soft, supple, and easy drinking, with enough acidity to keep it honest, this delivers everything you d want in a good rosé, and should be consumed over the coming summer months. (87 pts.)

5 Les Vignerons de Tautavel Vingrau 2010 Les Vignerons de Tautavel Vingrau Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes Grenache Gris Le Cirque (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes) $17 Coming from 70+ year-old Grenache Gris vines and seeing no oak, the outstanding 2010 Le Cirque Grenache Gris is an intense, complex white that delivers a mineral-drenched array of green herbs, wet stone, pepper, crisp pear, and hints of honey on the nose. This is followed by a medium-bodied white that has riveting focus and precision, sweet fruit, and lip smacking acidity that keeps you coming back for another sip. I m a fan and this is a perfect, food friendly white for drinking over the next year or two. (90 pts.) 2011 Les Vignerons de Tautavel Vingrau Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes Le Cirque Rosé (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes) $18 A solid rosé that s a blend of 50% Grenache Noir, 40% Mourvèdre, and 10% Grenache Gris, the 2011 Les Vignerons de Tautavel Vingrau Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes Le Cirque Rosé is crisp and dry, showing juicy strawberry, citrus, herbs, and mineral aromas, a medium-bodied, lively mouth feel, and tangy acidity that cleans up on the finish. Well done and very enjoyable, this is a leaner styled rose that will be versatile on the dinner table, as well as on its own. While it will drink well for 1-2 years, I recommend consumed it over the coming 6 months in its upfront youth. (87 pts.) 2010 Les Vignerons de Tautavel Vingrau Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes Le Cirque (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes) $18 An notable value that delivers upfront, complex aromatics of black fruits, leather, pepper, loamy earth, and garrigue, the 2010 Le Cirque is made by the Tautavel co-op in Roussillon, and is a blend of 50% Carignan, 25% Mourvèdre, and 25% Syrah. It is medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured, and shows real depth on the palate, with juicy acidity, and firm tannin. The Carignan character of walnut oil and mineral really comes through with air, and this absolutely solid blend will be a crowd pleaser over the coming 2-3 years. (88 pts.) Cuvée de Peña 2006 Château de Peña Vin de Pays des Pyrénees-Orientales Cuvée de Peña (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Vin de Pays des Pyrénees-Orientales) $13 A blend of 48% Grenache, 30% Carignan, and 22% Syrah, the 2006 Cuvée de Peña is drinking beautifully and shows perfumed, upfront aromas of spice cabinet, dried underbrush, cherry, and cured meats on the nose. Smelling like a street market in the south of France, this medium-bodied red has a fresh, light texture, juicy acidity, and a clean finish that keeps it interesting and very drinkable. At this point, it still has plenty of life, yet I don t see any upside and would consume bottles over the coming 2-3 years. Nevertheless, this sells for a song, is a perfect candidate for a house red, and is absolutely worth your time and money. (87 pts.) 2009 Château de Peña Vin de Pays des Pyrénees-Orientales Cuvée de Peña (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Vin de Pays des Pyrénees-Orientales) $13 Even better, with more freshness and purity, the 2009 Château de Peña Vin de Pays des Pyrénees-Orientales Cuvée de Peña is an unoaked blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 20% Carignan. Perfumed, complex, and possessing a leafy, underbrush like quality that s supported by sweet red berry fruit, lavender, and flowers, this medium-bodied blend has a light, seamless texture, notable freshness, and a beautifully polished, clean finish that has enough length to make you question the lowly price tag. Excelling for its balance, harmony, and overall drinkability more than richness and power, this is a perfect wine to buy by the case as it s perfect on its own, or with food. Given how well the 06 is still showing, I see no reason this won t drink well for 5 or more years. (88 pts.) Val Auclair 2010 Val Auclair Les Barras Rouge (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Vallée du Paradis) $24 A blend of 75% very old vine Carignan (80+ year-old vines) and 25% Syrah, that sees no oak, the 2010 Val Auclair Les Barras Rouge is a beauty! Displaying meaty, rich aromas of black cherries, new leather, walnut shells, licorice, and ripe herbs, this medium to full-bodied red is silky and polished on the palate, showing solid concentration, a seamless, elegant mouth feel, and ripe, fine-grained tannin. It opens up beautifully in the glass and has real character. While excellent now, given the overall balance, it should evolve gracefully for 4-6 years. (89 pts.)

6 Villa des Anges 2011 Villa des Anges Rosé Vin de Pays d Oc (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Vin de Pays d Oc) $12 Quickly becoming one of my go to Rosés, the absolutely delicious 2011 Villa des Anges Rosé Vin de Pays d Oc, a blend of 100% old vine, unoaked Cinsault, shows a brilliant salmon color to go with a juicy, fresh display of red currants, wild strawberry, and minerality on the nose. Fresh, clean, and with both juicy acidity and solid mid-palate fruit, this excellent rosé does everything right, and assuming you like rosés, is a no brainer case purchase. While it should be enjoyed over the coming summer months, I suspect it will drink well for 1-2 years. (89 pts.) 2010 Villa des Anges Merlot Vin de Pays d Oc (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Vin de Pays d Oc) $12 Coming from clay and limestone soils located northwest of the town of Béziers, the value priced 2010 Villa des Anges Merlot Vin de Pays d Oc is plump and upfront, with ripe plums, tobacco, leafy herbs, and meaty nuances leading into a medium to full-bodied, round, supple palate. Straight up delicious and a perfect mid-week drinker, this should be consumed in its fresh and vibrant youth. (88 pts.) 2010 Villa des Anges Cabernet Sauvignon Vin de Pays d Oc (France, Languedoc Roussillon, Vin de Pays d Oc) $12 Playing in same category, yet with more noticeable structure and tannic grip, the 2010 Villa des Anges Cabernet Sauvignon Vin de Pays d Oc is deeply fruited and juicy, with quality aromatics of black currant, leaf tobacco, bay leaf, and earthy nuances that give way to an almost chocolaty richness with air. Aged all in tank, this seriously enjoyable Cabernet has a polished, supple texture, good acidity, and enough grippy tannin to allow it to evolve for 3-4 years. As with the Merlot, this over delivers in a big way and is a perfect wine to buy by the case for mid-week drinking. (88 pts.) France - Southern France Commanderie de la Bargemone 2011 Commanderie de la Bargemone Coteaux d Aix-en-Provence Rosé (France, Provence, Coteaux d Aix-en-Provence) $NA Always lightly color and racy, the 2011 Commanderie de la Bargemone Coteaux d Aix-en-Provence Rosé is no exception and delivers a sweet bouquet of wild strawberries, green herbs, and mineral to go with a balanced, lightly textured mouth feel, juicy, almost tangy acidity, and a dry, clean finish. Straight up delicious and a perfect quaffer for a hot summer day, this should be enjoyed over the coming summer months. (89 pts.) Domaine du Pégaü Needing no introduction to any southern Rhône lover, Domaine du Pégaü, run by the talented and no nonsense Laurence Feraud, is comprised of 17-hectare spread throughout the appellation. While the 07 continues to show beautifully (I have been through more than half a case), the 09 has come on like gangbusters since I tasted it out of foudre last year and is showing thrilling depth and density. For those that like the traditional, wild Pégaü style, this should not be missed. Website: Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) $75 Beautifully rich and meaty, yet with a structured edge, the 2007 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée delivers a textbook Pégaü profile with smoked plums, beef blood, roasted garrigue, lavender, and iron like qualities literally souring from the glass. Full bodied and focused on the palate, with edgy underlying structure, thrilling fruit, and a broad, chewy mid-palate and finish, this brilliant Châteauneuf-du-Pape took the better part of the evening to open up, and was even better on the second day. While delicious now, it will be even better in 3-5 years. (96 pts.)

7 2009 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) $75 Showing even better from bottle than from barrel, and I think a match for the knockout 07, the 2009 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée (roughly 80% Grenache, 14% Syrah and the rest a mix of varieties) is a brilliant Châteauneuf-du-Pape that oozes southern Rhône flair. Reminiscent of a Provencal street market, with massive garrigue, charcuterie, saddle leather, kirsch, and framboise like aromas and flavors, this gains steam over the evening and possesses a full-bodied, gorgeously concentrated and structured palate. There s plenty of ripe fruit, solid freshness, and masses of polished, ripe tannin on the finish, and while this has the intensity and perfume to drink well now, it will be even better in 5-7 years, and drink well for two decades or more. I m a big fan, but as I said in the barrel review, this has a touch of brett, so buy these on release and keep them in a cool cellar! (96+ pts.) Domaine LePlan-Vermeersch 2009 Domaine LePlan-Vermeersch Côtes du Rhône Classic Red (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône) $19 A pure, clean, and slightly modern styled Côtes du Rhône, the 2009 Domaine LePlan-Vermeersch Classic Red delivers beautifully ripe aromas of raspberries, cherries, smoke, new leather, licorice, and spice box on the nose. This is followed by medium+ bodied red that has a fresh, energetic texture, good acidity, and firm, yet ripe tannin that emerges on the finish. Improving in the glass and gaining additional complexity and southern Rhône typicity, this excellent 2009 will drink well for 5-8 years. (88 pts.) Sélectionné par Laurence Féraud 2009 Sélectionné par Laurence Féraud Côtes du Rhône (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône) $16 Savory and meaty, with copious amounts of mineral-driven red and black fruits, Provencal herbs, spice cabinet, and peppered steak, the 2009 Sélectionné par Laurence Féraud Côtes du Rhône - a traditionally aged blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Syrah - is medium-bodied, dense, and chewy on the palate, with excellent mid-palate depth, and ripe tannin on the finish. Impressive, and a smoking value, this beauty will drink well for 5-8 years. (89 pts.) 2009 Sélectionné par Laurence Féraud Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret) $22 More elegant and finesse driven, the 2009 Sélectionné par Laurence Féraud Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret, from vineyards located just to the northeast of Gigondas, is a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah that s aged all in tank. Possessing a lively, fresh bouquet of sweet cherries and assorted red fruits that are supported by solid minerality, sweet spice, crushed flowers, and hints of sappy underbrush, it is medium-bodied and beautifully textured on the palate, showing sweet fruit, ripe tannin, and an overall deft, focused feel. Very pretty and loaded with southern Rhône character, this beauty will drink well for 5-8 years. (90 pts.) 2009 Sélectionné par Laurence Féraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) $59 A straight up outstanding 09, the Sélectionné par Laurence Féraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a blend of 80% Grenache and the rest Mourvèdre and Syrah that was aged for 2 years in a combination of stain steel and cask, boasts knockout aromatics of smoked meats, wild herbs, saddle leather, ground pepper, and crushed rock like minerality that s all beautifully supported by sweet red and black berry-like fruit. Very traditional and savory, with a medium to full-bodied, rich texture, excellent focus, and large scale, chewy tannin, this textbook Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a fun drink now, but will be even better in 2-3 years, and have upwards of a decade of prime drinking. (92 pts.)

8 Spain Bodegas Virgen del Águila 2010 Bodegas Virgen del Águila Cariñena Las Valles (Spain, Aragón, Cariñena) $9 An unoaked blend of 50% Tempranillo, 40% Garnacha, and 10% Syrah, the 2010 Bodegas Virgen del Águila Cariñena Las Valles is upfront, supple, and easy going, showing sweet cherry, blackberry, licorice, garrigue, and lavender aromas, a medium-bodied, sweetly fruited mouth feel, and a clean finish. Downright gulpable and delicious, with no hard edges, sweet fruit, and good acidity, this will be a crowd pleaser and is geared for consuming over the coming 1-2 years. (87 pts.) 2009 Bodegas Virgen del Águila Cariñena Ia Garnacha (Spain, Aragón, Cariñena) $12 Coming from 50+ year old vines growing just out side the town of Paniza, at an elevation of 2,500 feet, the 2009 Bodegas Virgen del Águila Cariñena Ia Garnacha exhibits a solidly complex array of cherry and strawberry fruits that are supported by intense aromas of lavender, potpourri, crushed flowers, and garrigue. Aged all in stainless steel and possessing a medium-bodied, fleshy, and mouth filling texture, with notable ripeness, as well as solid overall freshness, this value priced, easy drinking Garnacha should be enjoyed over the coming 2-3 years. (87 pts.) Panarroz 2010 Panarroz Jumilla Panarroz (Spain, Murcia, Jumilla) $13 Always a wine that over delivers, the 2010 Panarroz Jumilla Panarroz (an unoaked blend of 60% Monastrell, 30% Syrah, and 10% Garnacha) is no exception and boasts deep, earthy, aromas of black and blue fruits, pepper, lavender, violets, and mineral to go with a medium+ bodied mouth feel, juicy acidity, and an overall, drink me now, hedonistic profile. Chewy and rich, with a fair dose of tannin that adds focus on the finish, this excellent value will be a crowd pleaser over the coming 3-4 years, possibly longer. (87 pts.) Imported by Hand Picked Selections, Inc. Warrenton, VA