Rhône Red wines
Domaine Grand Nicolet - Les Esqueyrons 2015 Rasteau
The nose is fruity and offers a very fine concentration. It reveals notes of wild blackberry, small wild berries and small notes of bigarreau cherry, liquorice associated with very fine hints of garrigue and a very discreet hint of cloves, cardamom. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a juicy/finely acidulous frame, gourmandize and a fine suavity. On the palate this wine expresses notes of black cherry, blackberry and small notes of violet associated with touches of fleshy/juicy black plum as well as hints of nutmeg, cardamom and a very discreet hint of pepper (in the background). Good length.
Score : 15.75/20 (91-92/100)
Domaine Castel Oualou - Réserve Fût de chêne 2018
Lirac
The nose is elegant and offers a small richness and gourmandize. It reveals notes of fleshy raspberry, juicy/fleshy blackberry and small notes of fleshy red berries associated with fine touches of sense of the place/local copse, spices and a fine hint of vanilla. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a juicy/ acidulous frame, gourmandize as well as suavity. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy/juicy raspberry and fleshy/ripe blackberry associated with touches of crunchy raspberry as well as hints of violet, thyme flowers and vanilla. Tannins are well-built and racy.
Score : 16.25+/20 (93/100)
Domaine Jocelyn Raoux 2017 Tradition
Lirac
The nose offers minerality. It reveals notes of black cherry, wild cassis, small berries associated with touches of graphite, black pepper as well as fine hints of garrigue and an imperceptible hint of grilled. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a good definition, gourmandize as well as suavity. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy/juicy red cherry, small juicy wild berries, small notes of crunchy cassis associated with touches of garrigue, black pepper as well as very discreet hints of liquorice stick, coffee, crushed/candied strawberry. Tannins are structuring.
Score : 15.5/20 (90-91/100)
Domaine Jocelyn Raoux 2017 Réserve
Lirac
The nose is fruity and offers a fine gourmandize, a small power and a small concentration. This wine needs to be put in carafe. It reveals notes of fleshy/ juicy blackberry, fleshy/juicy raspberry, small notes of small flowers associated with fine touches of liquorice stick, garrigue as well as a discreet hint of black olive and a subtle hint of grey pepper. The palate is fruity and offers juiciness, minerality as well as a good freshness. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy/juicy red cherry, fleshy/juicy raspberry and small notes of rose, violet associated with small touches of liquorice as well as a hint of garrigue and tobacco. Good length and persistence.
Score : 16/20 (92/100)
Castel Oualou - Cuvée Signature 2018 Lirac
(Brut de cuve) The nose is fruity and offers freshness, crunchiness, power as well as concentration / intensity. It reveals notes of blackberry, raspberry and redcurrant jam associated with touches of rose, violet, chocolate as well as a fine hint of garrigue, dried blond tobacco, very discreet hints of nutmeg and an imperceptible hint of gray pepper. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a good definition, juiciness, tension, freshness, gourmandize as well as minerality. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy / juicy blackberry, fleshy raspberry and small notes of rose, violet associated with touches of crushed red berries, chocolate as well as a subtle hint of garrigue / bay leaf and very discreet hints of sweet spices. Tannins are precise and straight. Good length.
Score : 16+/20 (92-93/100) Château de Montfaucon - Baron Louis 2015 Lirac
The nose is fruity and offers a small freshness as well as a small concentration. This wine needs to be put in carafe. It reveals notes of wild raspberry, wild strawberry and small notes of juicy/crunchy blackberry associated with touches of small fruits, violet, zan as well as discreet hints of Cuben pepper and garrigue. The palate is fruity, mineral and offers a small juiciness, a fine fat as well as a fine tension. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy/juicy red cherry, fleshy/ juicy raspberry and small notes of small red berries associated with hints of liquorice stick and a subtle hint of tea. A very discreet chew on the finish/persistence.
Score : 16+/20 (92-93/100)
Le Clos des Sources 2016 Lirac
The nose is fruity and offers power, a fine grain and a racy minerality. It reveals notes of wild blackberry, raspberry and cherry associated with touches of Cuben pepper, violet as well as touch of sage and discreet hints of liquorice. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a beautiful definition, juiciness as well as gourmandize. On the palate this wine expresses notes of cherry, fleshy/crushed raspberry and small notes of fleshy/juicy cassis associated with a touch of violet, lily as well as fine hints of garrigue, sage, zan and discreet hints of cardamom. Tannins are well-built and supple. Good length.
Score : 15.25+/20 (90-91/100)
Château de Montfaucon 2016 Lirac
The nose is fresh, fruity and offers a small power as well as racy minerality. It reveals notes of fresh / ripe raspberry, blackberries and small notes of fresh strawberry associated with hints of wilted violet, local grove as well as hints of Cuben pepper, rose and spices. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, fresh, mineral and offers a good definition, juiciness, tension as well as gourmandize. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy / juicy raspberry, fleshy / juicy strawberry and small notes of violet, garrigue associated with touches of chocolate, caramelization as well as discreet hints of nutmeg, light tobacco and dried almond. Good length. Tannins are elegant. Very slight hints of chocolate on the persistence.
Score : 16.5/20 (93/100)
Domaine du Pourra Mont Bayon 2011 Côtes du RhôneVillages, Séguret
The nose is fruity and offers a fine intensity and power. It reveals notes of wild redcurrant, bigarreau cherry, small notes of wild blackberry associated with fine hints of garrigue, racy minerality and a very discreet hint of pepper (in the background). The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a fine acidulous frame, a good definition, precision, gourmandize as well as a fine tension. On the palate this wine expresses notes of ripe/juicy redcurrant, bigarreau cherry, small notes of crunchy cassis associated with very fine hints of garrigue, oleander as well as subtle hints of racy minerality and an imperceptible hint of pepper. Good length. Tannins are precise and offer a fine straightness.
Score : 15.75/20 (91-92/100)
Domaine de l’Amauve - Laurence 2018 Côtes du RhôneVillages, Séguret
The nose offers intensity and a small power. This wine needs to be put in carafe. It reveals notes of bigarreau cherry, blackberry, small notes of violet associated with touches of very ripe red cherry, small red fruits as well as very fine hints of olive tree, racy minerality/sense of the place as well as discreet hints of zan, white pepper and rosemary. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a juicy/ finely acidulous frame, a good definition, gourmandize as well as tension. On the palate this wine expresses notes of bigarreau cherry, ripe wild red berries, small notes of violet associated with fine touches of blackberry as well as hints of olive tree/garrigue and sense of the place. Good length. A very discreet chew on the finish/persistence. Tannins are elegant and supple.
Score : 16.5/20 (93/100)