Kirkland Signature Vacqueyras, 2022

 

I am a long-term Southern Rhone enthusiast; as a result, I am a bit reluctant to buy a Southern Rhone at Costco unless I know who produced It. There is no indication on the label, but when I pulled the cork I saw the name :"Guillaume Gonnet." Guillaume and his Australian wife have taken over at Domaine Font de Michelle, a good producer of Chateauneuf du Pape. And the Gonnets are now also producing wines from Gigondas, Lirac, Rasteau and Vacqueyras--all priced much higher than this $11.49 number from Costco.

Medium ruby, clear and bright 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre. The first smells I get are thyme and rosemary, classic garrigue! Also black fruits, fresh berries and plums rather than the strawberries I expect from 80% Grenache. Medium bodied and smooth. Easy to drink but still has some tannins to lose. I bought this in July of 2024; wish I had bought more.

Indigenous Selection Nebbiolo d'Alba, 2015

If you go looking for Nebbiolo d'Alba, as I frequently do, you will probably find Indigenous Selection as one of the lowest priced options (about $16). Give it a try, and it won't disappoint you. It comes from young (12 to 15 year old) vines in the Roero area across the river from Alba; yet it has most of the traits that I expect in even the highest priced Barolos and Barbarescos.

Bright, medium ruby. Very aromatic: violets, rose petals, dark cherries, anise seed. At 10 years, the smells and flavors are clean, bright and fresh. Very fruit forward but not at all simple. Has the depth and complexity that you expect from Nebbiolo. It's on my buy list.
 

La Chiamata Montepulciano Riserva, 2020

Most Montepulciano wines I have had were relatively light bodied, fruity and easy to drink. This Chiamata Riserva is big boned with substantial tannin and oaky spice.

Very dark. Black berries, dark cherries and layers of black licorice. Full bodied and rich, almost like a Ripasso in its fruit concentration. Drinking well now but enough acid and tannin to carry it for many years.

I bought this wine from Wall Street Journal Wines as a Montepulciano Challenge--three bottlers of La Chiamata and three bottles of Roma Rosso. Both were very good, but I think my vote goes to the Roma. Here are my notes for the Roma: 

Deep, dark and bright. Very aromatic from the time the cork is popped. Dark cherries, black berries with a touch of cinnamon and dark chocolate on the finish. Good concentration, this is a serious wine. Plenty of acid, plenty of tannin--maybe a bit too much for current drinking.

 

Cotes du Rhone Reserve del Puech Vieilles Vignes, 2022

When I saw this wine on the shelf for $8.99 at MegaBev (formerly Russo & Sons) in Grand Rapids, I was hoping it would be an easy drinking, but serious, Cote du Rhone like the ones I enjoyed so often through the late 1980s and early 1990s. Drinking it tonight, I am not disappointed.

Medium dark ruby red. 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Carignan. Syrah elegance showing. Black raspberries, currants, cassis. Rich texture, concentrated flavors. Dark chocolate/black pepper on the fruit driven finish. This is what I expect from a Cotes du Rhone, and it is very hard to find today at this price point.
 

Domaine de Beaurenard Chateauneuf du Pape, 1998

Beaurenard is a gem that often gets overlooked in discussions about the great wines of Chateauneuf du Pape. And some have argued that 1998 may be the estate's best of all time. It is aging very well and may have more positive development to come.

Wow! This wine, at 27 years of age, just shouts freshness. Cherries, black and red, as well as strawberries, blue plums spice and pepper. More acid and more tannin than the Vieux Donjon but still with a savory/sweet Chateaueuf profile. This has much to recommend it, and two of us rated it as Wine of the Day until we went back for a second go at the Vieux Donjon. In terms of aging, 1998 was a controversial Southern Rhone vintage (too ripe for some critics), but these are two wines that have aged admirably.
 

Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf du Pape, 1998

This 1998 Vieux Donjon was named #1 Wine of the Year by both the Wine Advocate and the Wine Spectator. It is still a spectacular wine and was generally accepted as the Wine of the Day, against strong competition, at our roast lamb Christmas dinner.

Bricking moving in from the edges. Deep, layered fruit, ripe and lovely. Fairly low acidity for a Chateauneuf but that makes it taste even more luxurious. Salty, savory notes frame the ripe, luscious middle.
 

Elyse Hudson Vineyard Le Corbeau, 2006

Le Corbeau is 90% Grenache, 10% Syrah grown in prime vineyards in Carneros and produced with the intent to emulate, as the label states, "the great wines of Chateauneuf du Pape." I served this magnum as an into to two of the finest Chateauneufs, 1998 Vieux 'Donjon and 1998 Beauenard. Of course, it did not really measure up to these wines, but it did not embarrass itself.

Some rusty tones in the medium maroon color as to be expected. Ripe strawberries and spice very reminiscent of traditional Southern Rhone wines. Great texture. A wine that seduces you rather rather than bowling you over. Has matured well but probably isn't going to last as long as a traditional Chateauneuf du Pape.