Mostly Gigondas, except for the ringers (they are always everpresent). A fun night, tasting wines and not being way laid by the Southern heat.
1 - Muted nose of plums and minerals. Some sweet notes come out after swirling, very perfumed finish, gum mastic and slight bubblegum. Needs age: youthful (2-3 years?). Alcohol becomes more noticeable with air. A-/B+
2 - Meatier than previous. More of a syrah component? Softer in the mouth, with a sweeter mouth feel. Cherry-plum. Bubblegum finish that becomes off putting with more time spent here. B+
3 - Perfumey. Fresh and lively with strong tannins. Woody note on the aroma. Young. A 2010 or 12? Needs 3-4 more years. Strawberry finish, with slight bubblegum, just not as pronounced as in the first two. A-
4 - Musky aromas. Sweet gum mastic, garrigue, nice structured tannins on the finish. Feels like a Chateauneuf. A-
5 - Dark black cherry red colored (darkest so far). Slight alcohol in the back. Dark black fruits of blackberry, loganberry. Very smooth and rich, sweet, cigar tobacco. 2009? A-
6 - Nice acidity. Roses! Smooth, with a slight tannic bite. Very fresh feeling. Drink now and hold 4-5 years. A-
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1 - Domaine Notre Dame des Pallieres, Gigondas, 'Les Mourres', 2010
[Grenache 45%, Syrah 10%, Mourvedre 10%] 14.5%
This wine had a very closed nose from the beginning through to the end. It never seemed to fully open up.
2 - Guigal, Gigondas, 2007
[Grenache 65%, Mourvedre 25%, Syrah 10%] 14%
That structured component I thought might be more syrah must have been from the rather high
mourvedre percentage.
3 - Pierre Amadieu, Gigondas, 'Romane Machotte', 2009
[Grenache 80%, Syrah 20%] 14.5%
4 - Pierre Amadieu, Gigondas, 'Romane Machotte', 2012
[Grenache 80%, Syrah 20%] 14.5%
5 - Domaine de l'Ange, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 2010
[Grenache 70%, Syrah 20%, Mourvedre 10%] 14%
6 - Sandlands, Mataro, California, 2010
13.6% I can see why folks get excited by these. This had freshness and FUN running through it and was
simply a joy to drink and go back to.
Many of these wines showed quite well, but the first 3 had noticeable bubblegum on the end which I found a little off putting. The quality level was quite high, overall. A fun tasting of an often overlooked region of France.