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Maison De Palais Voleur
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Only a few years ago, we could say that Gigondas, nearby and reflecting the terroir and grapes of Chateauneuf, was the great bargain of the Southern Rhone Valley. Nowadays, you have to look harder to find those values. The quaint little village Gigondas deserves some attention; the Romans certainly thought so. They called it “Jocunditas” which means joy or rejoicing, so we can guess that somebody liked the wine even then.
Type, Body & Flavor
Maison De Rue 37
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Aside from sounding like Dustin Hoffman’s character in Midnight Cowboy, Rasteau is one of the genuine values in red wine. More or less baby Chateauneuf, Rasteau these days mimics the blend that has evolved in Chateauneuf-du-Pape and now extends to other critical areas of the Southern Rhone: 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 5% other (in this case, Cinsault).
Type, Body & Flavor
Mas de Corasado
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A blend of Cabernet, Grenache, Syrah, Monastrell and Carignan, this wine is aged for 18 months in French Oak barrels and then bottled in what may be the heaviest piece of glass in all of winedom :)
Type, Body & Flavor
Mata'Or
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Among the diverse operations the Vellas family manages on their estates in Languedoc and Roussillon is an equestrian center and a “Manades” or farm where they breed Camargue bulls, bred solely for the "course camarguaise" (Camargue style of bullfighting). It’s not the bloody affair that we associate with bullfighting (at least, that’s the goal). In the arena, the bull gives chase with a dozen “razeteurs” (Camargue bullfighters) who try to remove a cockade that has been attached between its horns with strings. Not for the faint of heart. The wine too is a big, bold blend from the highly regarded Costiere de Nimes AOP – horns not included.
Type, Body & Flavor
Mazet de Palombiere
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Nicolas Vellas is one of the old-line guys who has been buying selected sites to grow his Les Naturels de Nicolas Vellas wine portfolio. For four generations his family has collected great but forgotten vineyards. It’s time people started paying attention – that’s easy because at these prices, they’re easy to notice.
Type, Body & Flavor
Minairo
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The fame of Priorat is both recent and ancient; the beautiful Escaladei (Steps of God) mountain formation frames the monastery of Santa Maria of Escaladei; it was founded in the 12th century by Alfonso the Chaste (poor guy). And over the last few decades, the slate and quartz soils called llicorella generate super low yields and super concentrated wines. Grenache and Carignan dominate but this blend includes small amounts of Syrah and Merlot; six months in French oak barrels offers a wine that is powerful but still framed by useful acidity.
Type, Body & Flavor
Scout's Honor Red
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As consumers look for less expensive offerings, Cali producers have been scrambling to try and show they can produce high quality wine at affordable prices. Venge Estate makes several top notch reds in the $50 plus range and are well known for their high quality wines. For those who think you need to spend a fortune to get a great red wine, this may change your mind.
Type, Body & Flavor
Seigneur Du Feu Cabernet
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Match
Throughout the last two centuries of winedom, French wine has been aged in French oak (minus a few years surrounding WWI but we’ll save that history lesson for later). American oak is crucial to many other wine regions: Spain, Australia, the U.S. (maybe even Silver Oak). So this is a southern French Cab with American oak’s lashing of coconut and vanilla – the classic aromas of American oak barrels. An unexpected but happy marriage!
Type, Body & Flavor
Snowvale Cabernet
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Match
It's no surprise that I love Snowvale Cabernet. It's classic California; ripe fruit, full-bodied, hints of spice, firm tannins, and an intense yet balanced finish. The surprise is that it's only $13. This is one to buy by the case. Just don't tell your friends how much you paid.
Type, Body & Flavor
The Palace Thief #2
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Match
Most of the Napa OGs have been bought out or at least changed hands numerous times. The winery behind Palace Thief Napa, starting in 1969, has remained owned and run by the same family. Now, it’s a third-generation project but the critical piece, the vineyards, is really what has allowed this family to achieve such demonstrated excellence. The Cabs are firm, powerful and very classically Napa-esque.
Type, Body & Flavor
Maison De Palais Voleur
Only a few years ago, we could say that Gigondas, nearby and reflecting the terroir and grapes of Chateauneuf, was the great bargain of the Southern Rhone Valley. Nowadays, you have to look harder to find those values. The quaint little village Gigondas deserves some attention; the Romans certainly thought so. They called it “Jocunditas” which means joy or rejoicing, so we can guess that somebody liked the wine even then.
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
Maison De Rue 37
Aside from sounding like Dustin Hoffman’s character in Midnight Cowboy, Rasteau is one of the genuine values in red wine. More or less baby Chateauneuf, Rasteau these days mimics the blend that has evolved in Chateauneuf-du-Pape and now extends to other critical areas of the Southern Rhone: 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 5% other (in this case, Cinsault).
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
Mas de Corasado
A blend of Cabernet, Grenache, Syrah, Monastrell and Carignan, this wine is aged for 18 months in French Oak barrels and then bottled in what may be the heaviest piece of glass in all of winedom :)
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
Mata'Or
Among the diverse operations the Vellas family manages on their estates in Languedoc and Roussillon is an equestrian center and a “Manades” or farm where they breed Camargue bulls, bred solely for the "course camarguaise" (Camargue style of bullfighting). It’s not the bloody affair that we associate with bullfighting (at least, that’s the goal). In the arena, the bull gives chase with a dozen “razeteurs” (Camargue bullfighters) who try to remove a cockade that has been attached between its horns with strings. Not for the faint of heart. The wine too is a big, bold blend from the highly regarded Costiere de Nimes AOP – horns not included.
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
Mazet de Palombiere
Nicolas Vellas is one of the old-line guys who has been buying selected sites to grow his Les Naturels de Nicolas Vellas wine portfolio. For four generations his family has collected great but forgotten vineyards. It’s time people started paying attention – that’s easy because at these prices, they’re easy to notice.
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
Minairo
The fame of Priorat is both recent and ancient; the beautiful Escaladei (Steps of God) mountain formation frames the monastery of Santa Maria of Escaladei; it was founded in the 12th century by Alfonso the Chaste (poor guy). And over the last few decades, the slate and quartz soils called llicorella generate super low yields and super concentrated wines. Grenache and Carignan dominate but this blend includes small amounts of Syrah and Merlot; six months in French oak barrels offers a wine that is powerful but still framed by useful acidity.
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
Scout's Honor Red
As consumers look for less expensive offerings, Cali producers have been scrambling to try and show they can produce high quality wine at affordable prices. Venge Estate makes several top notch reds in the $50 plus range and are well known for their high quality wines. For those who think you need to spend a fortune to get a great red wine, this may change your mind.
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
Seigneur Du Feu Cabernet
Throughout the last two centuries of winedom, French wine has been aged in French oak (minus a few years surrounding WWI but we’ll save that history lesson for later). American oak is crucial to many other wine regions: Spain, Australia, the U.S. (maybe even Silver Oak). So this is a southern French Cab with American oak’s lashing of coconut and vanilla – the classic aromas of American oak barrels. An unexpected but happy marriage!
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
Snowvale Cabernet
It's no surprise that I love Snowvale Cabernet. It's classic California; ripe fruit, full-bodied, hints of spice, firm tannins, and an intense yet balanced finish. The surprise is that it's only $13. This is one to buy by the case. Just don't tell your friends how much you paid.
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions
The Palace Thief #2
Most of the Napa OGs have been bought out or at least changed hands numerous times. The winery behind Palace Thief Napa, starting in 1969, has remained owned and run by the same family. Now, it’s a third-generation project but the critical piece, the vineyards, is really what has allowed this family to achieve such demonstrated excellence. The Cabs are firm, powerful and very classically Napa-esque.
Type, Body & Flavor
Pairings & Occasions