This wine is one of our standard buys at Costco. It is a 50/50 Syrah/Grenache. It has been rated 90 points by Wine Spectator for the 2007 vintage. We have actually tasted them side by side and the 2009 does not measure up to the earlier vintage. If you are lucky, you can find a few bottles of the 2007 in displays, but they are really disappearing at our local stores. We are not sure why we never see the 2008 vintage...The bottle says: "aromas of small berry fruit, such as black currants and blackberries, with licorice and spices are part of a well rounded and silky ensemble." 13% Alcohol by vol. This bottle has a natural cork. The addition of the "Villages" to the appellation is supposed to be more prestigious, since only 20% of the region is allowed to add it.
We found the 2009 vintage to have a light bouquet with a touch of dark berry. It has a pleasant medium color. We think the wine has a sulfide or tannin problem. The taste on the palate had very little berry and the tannins were forward (on the forward sides of the tongue.) We agree with the bottle that there is licorice and spices (and sulfites.) This vintage is not very big or complex. There was some payoff with a Syrah peppery finish.
In the past vintages, we have found this wine to be quite smooth and drinkable and one of our reliable standards. The Costco price is just under $10. We have been finding better value wines equal to Perrin & Fils at Gross Out. Bottom line, look for a different vintage or completely different ticket.
No comments:
Post a Comment