Had the 2010 Yves Cuilleron Vin de Pays Syrah. Not technically a Cotes du Rhone, but perhaps close enough for govt work? Very nice wine. I will add some of this to my cellar.

Had the 2010 Domaine de Beaurenard, CdR last night. Love the nose of cherry and nutmeg after a little dust blew off. Not a big wine, going instead for elegance. A balanced, well made wine which I really enjoyed. 90 points.

If they did this well with their regular CdR bottling, I'm sure the Rasteau will be excellent too. It's usually a bigger, brawnier style.

Had the 2010 Michel Gassier Cercius a few nights back with pan seared filet and shitakes. The sauce was seasoned with a dash of fresh thyme, and I was hoping for a little garrigue to play around with. No garrigue, but an interesting bottle. VERY dark and rich for CdR. Grenache driven. If I'd tasted this blind, I'd probably have guessed Spain.

PH

Has anyone had the 2010 delas st. Esprit? I had a couple cases of the 2007 and what a qpr!

A little off topic...
I went CdR hunting recently and picked up the 2009 Janasse CdR . I hadn't seen it before and I love the producer so I bit.

This is a wonderful medium/full bodied CdR, and the tannins aren't rough like many other 2009s. This has great pure fruit and garrigue with a smooth finish and no hard edges. I will probably go back for more (if I get around to it in time). I think it was about $15.

2010 Olivier Hillaire CdR Vielles Vignes tonight. I don't think I'll be getting more. It's a bit of an odd experience, one taste is great, the next is kinda limp. Lacking a little bit in backbone perhaps. C'est dommage.

Had the 2010 Chateau Mont-Redon CdR the other night at a wine bar. No notes, but very enjoyable. Not a big style, more elegant with grenache leading the way.

Had the Roger Sabon Cotes-du-Rhone at Le Select in Toronto last night.

It was tasty with lots of minerality and earthy spices, fruit tended toward stewed fruit flavors.

Chapoutier Bila Haut Cotes de Roussillion- excellent wine with bright acidity and rich fruit. Outstanding QPR and worth purchase at 2-3 times the price.

quote:

Chapoutier Bila Haut Cotes de Roussillion- excellent wine with bright acidity and rich fruit. Outstanding QPR and worth purchase at 2-3 times the price.

I bought a case and for the money, it can't be beat

quote:

Originally posted by DoktaP:

quote:

Chapoutier Bila Haut Cotes de Roussillion- excellent wine with bright acidity and rich fruit. Outstanding QPR and worth purchase at 2-3 times the price.

I bought a case and for the money, it can't be beat

There are two of these in the SAQ system here:
2011 Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Cotes du Roussillon Villages ($16.35)
2009 Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem Cotes du Roussillon Villages ($24.00)

Neither are 2010 vintage here. Is there one, specifically, you gents are referring to and is the 2010?

quote:

Originally posted by steve8:
2010 Domaine Les Aphillanthes, CdR, Vieilles Vignes

Opened this last night. Wow. Nice nose of spice and dark fruit. Full bodied and well balanced. Delicious finish.

A little pricier than most CdR's, but worth the extra imho. I'm going back to pick up some more today.

Just saw this post. I will check this one out.

quote:

Originally posted by KSC02:
Neither are 2010 vintage here. Is there one, specifically, you gents are referring to and is the 2010?

2010. The 2009 is probably excellent. I know nothing much about the 2011 vintage so far.

I tried a couple more recently. The 2010 Domaine Cros de Romet and the 2010 Chateau de Galifay. Both are Villages, Cairanne bottlings. No notes taken, but I liked the latter better. The Romet was hot, which made me look at that label and discover it was 16% alcohol.

Tasted a couple at the local wine shop. Fairly good, better than the 2009.

Will be buying a few in next few weeks.

quote:

Originally posted by DoktaP:

quote:

Chapoutier Bila Haut Cotes de Roussillion- excellent wine with bright acidity and rich fruit. Outstanding QPR and worth purchase at 2-3 times the price.

I bought a case and for the money, it can't be beat

wow, i musta grabbed a bad bottle of this. i saw it at a wine shop, thinking it would be another no-brainer CdR purchase. but my bottle was flat and generic. i will grab another based on these two posts. thanks, guys.

The Chapoutier Belleruche is an excellent value as well.

quote:

Originally posted by DoktaP:

quote:

Chapoutier Bila Haut Cotes de Roussillion- excellent wine with bright acidity and rich fruit. Outstanding QPR and worth purchase at 2-3 times the price.

I bought a case and for the money, it can't be beat

Finally had this...wholeheartedly agree. Cruises to 89-90 point territory easy.

Domaine Chamfort Vacqueyras- excellent and a great QPR at $20. 91-92+

quote:

Originally posted by AML:

quote:

Originally posted by DoktaP:

quote:

Chapoutier Bila Haut Cotes de Roussillion- excellent wine with bright acidity and rich fruit. Outstanding QPR and worth purchase at 2-3 times the price.

I bought a case and for the money, it can't be beat

Finally had this...wholeheartedly agree. Cruises to 89-90 point territory easy.

Glad to hear that you enjoyed this one AML.
Cheers, VinC

quote:

Originally posted by VinCentric:

quote:

Originally posted by AML:

quote:

Originally posted by DoktaP:

quote:

Chapoutier Bila Haut Cotes de Roussillion- excellent wine with bright acidity and rich fruit. Outstanding QPR and worth purchase at 2-3 times the price.

I bought a case and for the money, it can't be beat

Finally had this...wholeheartedly agree. Cruises to 89-90 point territory easy.

Glad to hear that you enjoyed this one AML.
Cheers, VinC

Thanks again for picking that one up for me.

Aphillanthes 2010 Cdr- A charmer with bright cherry fruit and a little earthy character. Ready to drink now and a real pleasure.

I opened a 2010 St. Cosme CdR yesterday. The wine presented all kinds of interesting characteristics - including sour cherry, citrus, coffee grounds, licorice, and smoke. However, the citrus note was most prevalent. I followed the wine over 3+ hours and it showed no signs of fading. I suspect it has several more years of evolution ahead.

Finally got my hands on the Mon Coeur:

• 2010 J.L. Chave Sélection Côtes du Rhône Mon Coeur - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône (12/2/2012)
  Mighty tasty. Some barnyard on opening, dissipates after about half an hour. Loads of fruit without being overripe or jammy even. Some structure becomes apparent on the finish. Also some southern rhone spicy flavor and some gravelly minerality.

Posted from CellarTracker

2010 Grand Veneur CdR Reserve and Champauvins are both very nice QPRs.