Rhone Wines
Pat Smyth
Syrah Wines Ltd.
1. Cotes du Rhone Blanc, Guigal, 1996
20% Viognier and 80% Grenache blanc. Very pleasant wine of good appearance and attractive taste, showing the floral nose of the Viognier grape. For early drinking.
£7.50-8.00
2. Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc, Clos des Papes, Paul Avril, 1995
Good clear appearance, restrained nose, blend of mainly Rusanne and Grenache blanc, showing plenty of acidity. While refreshing at present will require 2-3 years to reach maturity.
About £16.00
3. Condrieu, Guigal, 1995
100% Viognier. A most beautiful wine, the essence of flowers, fruits and honey in a relatively dry wine is extraordinary. For early drinking.
About £30.00
4. Cotes du Rhone Rose, Guigal, 1995
Very good grenache nose. A pleasant surprise with a refreshing appley taste.
£7.50-8.00
5. Cuvee Garnacha 1995, Seguret Villages
A mainly Grenache based, pleasant, easy-drinking wine.
£10.50
6. Cuvee Casa Bassa, Seguret Villages, 1995
55% Syrah, 45% Grenache. A dep purple coloured, still young red wine of considerable power with a characteristic Syrah nose. This will be a wine of distinction when it ages. Needs 4-5 years of development. One to buy for the future.
£12.00
7. Cuvee Mazurka, Domaine Mazurd, 1988
Showing its age. A lighter rim in the glass and very soft tannins. Plenty of Syrah based spice still there. Very pleasant.
About £11.00
8. Chateauneuf du Pape, Guigal, 1994
Very good wine for a poor vintage. Lovely nose and drinking well now. Will only last in top condition for a year or so.
About £15.00
9. Chateauneuf du Pape, Guigal, 1991
Fully mature and will not keep. Pleasant drinking now from a disappointing vintage. At its peak.
About £15.00
10. Hermitage, Gerard Chave, 1992
A very good example of what a good winemaker can produce from a poorish vintage. Very creditable Hermitage. 100% Syrah. Will not keep for more than 2-3 years. Drinking well now. Not worth the price.
£30.00
Mark Downes
Note: Mark tends to hand out stars more readily than your regular correspondent!