Chateau Pesquie Terrasses, 2010 Revisited

Oops, I thought the alcohol level of this wine was 13.5%; and it did indeed taste like 13.5% on the first night--warm and peppery but well balanced. On the second and third nights after being opened, alcohol emerged more prominently, bringing out a little too much heat on the back end. And a look at the label revealed that ABV is actually 14%. That alcohol level makes the wine very showy when first opened, with aggressive aromas and flavors. Compared to other Rhones from 2009 and 2010 I've had recently, though, (such as the 2009 Vieux Chene VDP Grenache, the 2010 Vieux Chene VDP Cuvee de la Dame Vieille and the 2009 Cuvee Les Trois Messes Basses Ventoux), this 2010 Pesquie did not develop as much complexity and subtlety with continued exposure to oxygen. I may even prefer the 2008 Pesquie, even though it's from a lesser vintage. Pesquie 2010 is a nice wine, no doubt about it. But I'm not running out to buy a case as I might have a decade ago for a 94 point Parker wine selling for $12.99.