GSM Blend/Rhone Blend

This is a blend of 73% Syrah, and 27% Grenache from Paso Robles in California's central coast.  While this was a difficult vintage, Torrin seems to have no issues obtaining ripeness.  The label lists 16.1% abv.  Inky purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, iodine, tar, with a rich earthiness.  Full bodied.  Great texture.  The acid seems a bit on the lower side.  On the palate, pure black raspberries fruit with underlying char and earth.  Long finish.  This is very tasty and probably easier to drink on its own than to match with food.  If trying

A classically styled CdP, the word "rustic" no doubt comes to mind.  It is a blend of 65% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah, and 5% (Cinsault, Clairette, and others).  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, funk and garrigue.  Full bodied.  On the palate slightly silky texture.  Medium tannins.  Cherries and black cherries with some earthiness.  Black licorice on the finish.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Great on its own, this will work nicely with braised beef.  

This is a blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 9% Mourvèdre, and the rest Cinsault, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Picpoul, Vaccarèse, and Counoise.  It was very tight and most likely shut down at this point.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose shows some cherries and black raspberries with dust and slight garrigue.  It does have a wonderful texture which is often an indication in wines that are shut down of future greatness.  On the palate, it comes off a sweet cherry pie filling at the moment.  This should be cellared for another five to seven years and then drink over the next eigh

Nice to revisit this wine at age 18.  2003 was a very hot vintage that was problematic for many winemakers.  This one is holding up just fine.  It is 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and the rest Cinsault and Mourvedre.  This is fully mature but only showing a bit of age.  Light purple in color but still opaque and mostly bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, garrigue and dried tobacco.  Full bodied.  On the palate, nice cherry and black cherry fruit with underlying tobacco and some char.  Good complexity.  Long finish.  This will work better with hearty food; beef stew would work well.  D

This is an excellent producer, but this was a real treat.  Besides their regular bottlings, they make 5 prestige cuvees and this is the top one.

This is a luxury cuvee for this wine who make a few different CdP's.  It is a blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 20% Mourvedre.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has raspberries, black cherries, garrigue, pepper and black olives.  Full Bodied.  On the palate, this is drinking well now.  Very concentrated notes of black cherries and black raspberries with underlying pepper and smoke.  This has a long finish.  It will improve over the next five to seven years but either way will drink well for the next twelve to fifteen years.  Great on its own, but better with grilled

This is a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% a field blend.  It is quite tight and shut down at the moment so if drinking soon, give it about six hours of air or more.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries and garrigue.  With air a bit of lavender comes out.  On the palate, this has a lovely silky texture.  The fruit is quite tight but there are black cherries and black raspberries with a bit of black licorice and anise.  Everything feels right about this wine but it just isn't showing much at the moment.  Give it another five to seven years and then it should be o

I don't recall ever tasting a wine from this producer before.  This is a blend of 80% Grenache noir 20% Syrah.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose seems older with dust, dried cherries but also some black raspberries and garrigue.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, black cherries and dried fruits.  Moderate finish.  This seems like a wine to drink in the near term, maybe over the next three to five years.  It will work well with pasta or stews.  

Charvin is a unique Chateauneuf and not to everyone's preferences.  Its a bit lighter, more red fruits and on the more elegant side of a wine not typically known for its elegance. Utilizing a high percentage of Grenache, this one is 85% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Vaccarèse, and 5% Syrah.

This is one of, if not the best, producer of Gigondas, but they also make great Chateauneuf.  It is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah, and 5% Cinsault.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has prunes, cherries, garrigue and slight floral notes.  Medium bodied.  Young but nice complexity.  Tight layers or  plums, spice and earth.  Lively.  Nice finish.  This needs a couple more years until peak but should drink well for the next twelve to fifteen years.