WSET Level 3 Week 7 Rhone Valley

Better get this one up before Week 8 Starts tomorrow!

What to say about Rhone, There is North and then there is the South, so close and yet so far, its amazing how a little distance plus a valley, can change the wine profile, especially Syrah, since that's really the only commonality between the two.  I enjoy Crozes Hermitage, especially when it gets those Leafy Undertones!  And at the same time a good blend of the south can be just as tasty.  2007 South Rhone, was a pretty good vintage from what has been said especially on the Chateaunuef-du-Pape front.  But for me the most enjoyment from the 07 have been the Entry Level Cotes Du Rhones, inexpensive and properly balanced.

On Chateaunuef-Du-Pape, to me its one of those regions where you have a wine and love it try and different producer and hate it, funny how that works, Domaine de Pague was a fantastic wine! But the one tasted in Class was super nice too and 1/4 of the price.

On Roses, I like em, I'm not afraid to drink pink wine. /end

WSET LEVEL 3 WEEK 7 RHONE - Downtown Vancouver [AI School] (5/18/2010)
Rhone Wines this Week, a pleasant inexpensive white, some reds and a rose

• 2008 La Vieille Ferme (Perrin & Fils) Côtes du Luberon Blanc - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Luberon
  Pale Lemon Green, Med+ Intensity, Youthful, Floral! Orange Blossom, Greenfruit/apple, Citrus/Lemon/Lime Ripe.
  
  On the Palate, Dry, Med- Acid, Alc Med, Body Med, Med Intesnity, Apple, Citrus/Lemon, White Peeach, Pear, Stoney/Mineral, Med- Finish
  
  Conclusion, This wine is simple and yet pretty and floral I love it!, Ready to drink now/dont wait (85 pts.)
• 2008 Domaine Lafond Tavel Roc-Epine - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Tavel
  Clear, Med Orange. Med Intensity, Developing, Caramalized Red fruit/strawberry, spice, game, watermelon rind
  
  on the Palate, dry, med acid, low tannin, alc med+, med body, med intensity, strawberry, spice med finish
  
  Conclusion, Its a good Rose, ready to drink now. (86 pts.)

• 2006 Cave de Tain St. Joseph Cuvée Prestige - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph
  Clean, Med+Intensity, Developing, Dark Fruit+Red Fruit/Raspberry, Spice, game, cola, coffee
  
  on the palate, dry, med+ acid, med+ tannin, alc med, body med, med intensity, dark fruit, dark chocolate, spice, vegetal/cabbage, med+ finish
  
  conclusion, this needs time, atleast a decant for sure, opens up nicely (89 pts.)
• 2006 Mommessin Côtes du Rhône Villages terroirs de galets - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages
  Med+ Ruby, Med intensity, umami, warm red fruit/cherry/twizzler, clean, mineral, toast. youthful
  
  on the palate, dry med acid, med tannin, alc med+, med body, med intensity, red fruit/cranberry, short finish
  
  conclusion, good wine simple/inexpesnvie (86 pts.)
• 2006 Perrin & Fils Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau
  deep ruby, no change at rim, med+ intensity, dark fruit, flint, clean, mineral, developing
  
  on the palate, med acid, med tannin, med+ alc, med+ body, med intensity, spice, stewed red fruit, med+ finish
  
  conclusion, very good, needs a little time to develop maybe a year? (87 pts.)
• 2007 Château de la Gardine Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  Deep Purple, No Change at Rim, Pronounced Intensity, developing, spice/warm/baking spice, vanilla, dark fruit, warm baked orange loaf.
  
  on the palate, dry med acid, med+ tannin, high alc, med+ body, med+ intensity, dark fruit, stewed, plums, chocolate, spice, mineral, Long finish
  
  conclusion, nice chewiness, but good acidity to keep it fresh, ready to drink can develop further (90 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker
THE 100-POINT RATING SCALE (Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate describes this in more detail.)
• Extraordinary (96-100 points)
• Outstanding (90-95)
• Very Good to Excellent (85-89)
• Good (80-84)
• Average (75-79)
• Below average (70-74)
• Avoid (50-70)