Parnasse Syrah 2015 and Les Courtilles Cotes du Rhone 2014

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Parnasse Pays d’Oc Syrah 2015
  Syrah from France - Other

  Review Date : 13-Sep-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark, deep, black-hued ruby-red colour with lighter purple hues on the rim. The nose is soft and light with gentle concentration of uncomplicated aromas of black-berried fruits entwined with black pepper and fresh herbs. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is fresh and lively, with up-front flavours of blackberries, black pepper and fresh, dark herbs. The mouthfeel is bright and lively with brisk, underlying acidity and a light, grainy, tannin grip and structure lending a balancing dryness to the fruit. The flavours are carried by the structure with plenty of energy, leading to a crisp, refreshing finish of black fruits and herbs. This is a fresh and lively black-fruited Syrah with a herbal layer, grainy tannins and brisk acidity. Serve with antipasto and barbecued red meats over the next 2-3 years. 100% Syrah from Nimes, Beziers and Aude Valley, from vines 20 y.o., fully destemmed and fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged in seasoned oak barrels and in stainless-steel tanks. Winemaker: Francois Estier. 16.5-/20 Sep 2016 RRP $20.00
• Les Courtilles Cotes du Rhone 2014
  Blended Red from France - Rhone

  Review Date : 13-Sep-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark-hearted ruby-red colour with light garnet hues on edge. This has an elegant and restrained nose with herb-nuanced red berry fruits, along with suggestions of raspberries and spice, black pepper and soft earthy elements. Medium-full bodied, the palate is up-front with a rounded and softly concentrated core of savoury dark raspberry and red berry fruits intermixed with subtle layers of spice and earthy detail. The fruit grows in sweetness and richness on mid-palate and is balanced by fine-grained tannin extraction and integrated acidity. Some underlying alcoholic power drives the wine, leading to a dry-textured, savoury-fruited finish. This is an up-front, savoury red-fruited Cotes du Rhone which grows in richness and structure, along with some alcoholic power. Match with roasted red meats and semi-hard cheeses over the next 3-4 years. A blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Carignan from 35 y.o. vines between Orange and Avignon, predominantly hand-picked, destemmed and fermented to 14.5% alc., the wine blended with 20% barrel-aged Cotes du Rhone Villages fruit from the Pan de Dieu. Winemaker: Bernard Schurr. 16.5+/20 Sep 2016 RRP $25.00