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2017 Domaine du Tunnel Saint Peray Roussanne

The Domaine du Tunnel Saint Peray Roussanne is one of those deceptive wines that starts dumb and ends up smart. Your taste it at first and it is simply just a subdued white wine. Then about ten to fifteen minutes in the glass it just knocks you over with the mineral base, the crispness of the body and the rich layer of dried apricots, white pears and a hint of violets.

The wine has a vibrancy that gets awakened by food, like a leafy green salad or a hunk of chèvre. As vibrant and complex as it is, the wine has a ton of subtle nuances that are both charming and endearing.

When it comes to Northern Rhône producers, you can always trust Tunnel for Stephane Robert’s reds as well as his whites, and that’s why the 2017 Domaine du Tunnel Saint Peray is today’s WineSiders’ Wine of The Day.

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2017 Domaine Saint Cyr Beaujolais Blanc

A white wine this good could cause a return to loving Chardonnay.  

Seriously. This white wine from Beaujolais producer Domaine Saint Cyr is so good, that you would swear you were drinking a Macon Village or even a well made Burgundy that didn’t see any oak.

The all organic white wine first hits you with the aromatics of fresh snow on a hilltop, green apples and a slight lemon zest. Flavors of apples, white pears and lemon give this wine elegance and grace, as well as being so in balance.

That’s why the 2017 Domaine Saint Cyr La Galoche Beaujolais Blanc is today’s WineSiders’ Wine of The Day.

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2016 D’Andezon Cotes du Rhone

One of the joys of hunting out great wine finds is coming across wines like those made under the d’Andezon label by the Rhone Valley’s Vignerons d’Estézargues, which is one of the top cooperatives in the region. Their top contributors approach basically makes it a winemaker’s atelier, where those with great fruit can turn out great wines that can rival many of the known big names like Joubalet, Guigal and Perrin as the D’Andezon wines have been that way for many year, 

Made predominantly from Syrah, with a small amount of Grenache that brings some softness to the wine, the Andezon Cotes du Rhone is one of those “it can’t be” when you look at the price and realize what an awesome value it really is.

While no one would confuse this wine with the 2016 Clape Cotes du Rhone, which is also made from Syrah, for 1/5th the price the d’Andezon gives alot more value for money than most wines in its price range. 

That’s why the 2016 d’Andezon Cotes du Rhone is today’s WineSiders’ Wine of The Day!!!

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L’Effet Papillion

The wines made by Marjorie and Stephane Gallet under the Roc des Anges brand are rapidly befoming legendary wines from the Roussillion, much like wines from Domaine Gauby and Clos des Fees are. 

Their wines are part of the unheralded in the region with a list that includes Vaquer and Domaine de la Rectorie and Precipitorie. Like Rectorie and Vaquer, there’s a magic to the wines the Gallets produce, and that magic extends to their everyday brand, L’Effet Papillon, both red and white, and soon the rose.

Having been buying wines from Roc des Anges since the 2007 vintage, when the L’Effet Papillion was first sent to the USA I grabbed a few bottles. Each year since then (2014 I think) I’ve been always awaiting what may be one of the best bargains on the planet when it comes to everyday drinking wine that tastest and performs like a wine two or three times the price. The Blanc is a well balanced blend of Macabeu and Grenache Blanc while the Rouge is Grenache Noir and Syrah, and likely some Carignan.

The two wines remind me of the old days of Guigal’s Cote’s du Rhones that always outperformed wines that were in their price range and above.  The freshness of the white, the fruitiness of the red, the spice in both, and the distinctive minerality in the wines is both classic Roussillion as much as they are classy wines.

Big bright cherry, blueberry and deep strawberry flavors make the red a real crowd pleaser, while the peach, melon, lime and lemon zest gives the white L’Effet Papillion such a nice twist and kick.

And for those reasons and more, that’s why the L’Effect Papillion wines are today’s WineSiders’ Wines of The Day!!!

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Domaine du Colibri

On the east side of the Rhone as you drive north from Avignon sits the Dentelles de Montmirail mountain range. One region on the rise uptop is Beaumes de Venise, Down the hill is Gigondas. Up the road is Vacqueyras. As you go north you reach Seguret. But on the other side of the Dentelles mountains you have  Mont Ventoux, the granite topped mountain range with some of the Rhone’s next cadre of underdiscovered gems.

Take Domaine du Colibri.

This new winery was started by Olivier Legranger, an understudy of Xavier Vignon, Colibri produces small batches of Rhone blends that are generous examples of freshness and body.

The 2017 Le Petit Tour Rose AOP Ventoux is a blend of 70% Grenache and Cinsault 30% grapes. Showing up with a very pale color, almost as light as some Cotes de Provence, the La Tour Rose is loaded up with strawberry and black raspberry fruit, some white rose and violet aromas, along with a hint of lime.

The 2016 La Tour Rouge AOP Ventoux is made from Grenache and Carignan and in many ways drinks more like a Chateauneuf du Pape than a Beaumes de Venise or a Ventoux. It has layers of blackberry, black raspberry, black plums and black cherries. The body is fleshy, with chewy layers and Provence herbs showing themselves well.

The two are great wines to seek out, and enjoy. And that’s why the Domaine du Colibri Rouge and Rose are the WineSiders’ Wines of the Day!!!

 

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2015 Domaine Johann Michel “Cuvée Jana” Cornas

The 2015 Domaine Johann Michel “Cuvée Jana” Cornas is the signature wine from this “newish” Cornas producer. In a region long dominated by Clape, Voge and Verset, newer, younger producers are coming to the forefront, and Johann Michel is one of those.

Made from vines of 25-30 years of age, the Jana is all Syrah. A deep, dark, brooding, somewhat youthful Cornas, this is one to lay down for 10-20 years. Big mulburry aromas and some black cloves waift in the air, while flavors of rich raspberry, dark red plums, bacon, cassis and cherries, the wine is big, while also structured. With red meat, pork, duck or veal, this wine is a natural winner.

That’s why the 2015 Domaine Johann Michel “Cuvee Jana” Cornas is today’s WineSiders’ Wine of The Day!!!

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2015 Domaine de la Mordoree Chateauneuf du Pape La Dame Voyageuse

The 2015 Domaine de la Mordoree Chateauneuf du Pape La Dame Voyageuse is a rock solid standout in the sea of Rhone wines.

Unlike many Chateauneuf du Papes that spend many months in oak, this gem of a red sees more time in stainless steel vats. And that is what makes it so fresh and different.

There’s initially just a lot of fruit from the mostly strawberry tasting Grenache based wine. But then something happens. Like magic as the wine opens, so comes along the Provencal herbs, some toasted brioche aromas, and then the major hit of black plums.

That’s why the 2015 Domaine de la Mordoree Chateauneuf du Pape La Dame Voyageuse is today’s WineSiders’ Wine of The Day!!!

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2016 Domaine Lavantureux Chablis

The wines of Roland Lavantureux have always been on the list of favorites year after year since the 90s. Whether it’s the Premier Cru Fourcharme, the all stainless steel vinified Petite Chablis or just the Chablis, their white wines from Burgundy’s Chablis region are always nothing less than sensational.

The 2016 Domaine Lavantureux Chablis is one of those go to wines that stands out in the field of Chardonnays, which are often viewed as oaky, buttery, toasted and almond flavored. Lavantureux’s Chablis is none of that.

What you do get is the pure, minerally, green apple, the striking citrus flavors of lime and lemon and Bartlett pears, with a hint of summer flowers and spice that entice you to go for more before you finish the first glass. 

The wine is not blowsy the way some California Chardonnay’s seem to be that entice so many people to drink them. Instead you get a wine of sophistication and silk. One that is at home as much with a fish or oyster dish as it is with some fresh blue or goat cheese.

And that’s why, the 2016 Domaine Lavantureux Chablis is today’s WineSiders’ Wine of The Day!!!

 
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2016 Le Roc de Anges Segna de Cor

Le Roc de Anges is one of those producers you just need to know about.

As someone who has been cellaring and drinking the exquisite wines from this husband and wife team in the hills of the Roussillion Cotes Catelanes region near Maury, the 2016 Segna de Cor is one to seek out.

The wine is a blend of very old Carignan, Syrah and Grenache vines grown on the desolate lunar landscape. The blackberry, blueberry and lush strawberries encircle a warm chocolate like center. Toss in the Northern Rhone olive and herbs aromas and you have a wine to kill for. It’s also built to age.

That’s why the 2016 Le Roc de Anges Segna de Cor is today’s Winesiders’ Wine of The Day.

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2015 Faury Vieilles Vignes St. Joseph

It’s getting Rhonely out there. With Decouvertes du Rhone just two weeks away, and and the tour of four days on day two taking the trade tasters to Mauves the wines of St. Joseph will be flowing. 

With that in mind it was time to enjoy a 2015 Faury Vieilles Vignes Saint Joseph.

For years the wines of St. Joseph, and Crozes-Hermitage have been some of my favorite go-to wines, especially when dining on grilled beef or spicy Asian fare. Years back a Kermit Lynch sampler of Rhone wines include two from Blachon and Faury. While the Blachon wines are no longer around my cellar, the Faury family wines are.

Here’s a 100 percent Syrah made from vines planted between the 30’s the 70s. The Faury is a full bodied red, loaded with brambly blueberry pie filling fruit, and a wonderful bouquet of green and black olives, green bell pepper.

Wines like the Vieilles Vignes are true gems.  While many Rhonies are quick to turn towards Chateauneuf du Pape for hedonistic thrill rides, there is an option. The North, and wines like this St. Joseph,  that provide total pleasure, and enjoyment rivaling those Southern stars every time. 

And that’s why the 2015 Faury Vieilles Vignes Saint Joseph. is today’s WineSiders’ Wine of The Day!!!

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