I will, and do, regularly when the next version of the Ch. Ste. Cosme Little James Basket Press Rouge comes out!
I just finished a wonderful little afternoon bike ride around Lake Monroe, which takes you in to “back-woods” Florida, with Banjos twanging, pick-up trucks with rebel flags, and river crossings over the Historic St. John’s. A wildlife mecca with massive alligators everywhere. My wife is at a boring Gala event with the girls, so I whipped up a simple frittata with mushrooms, asparagus, tomatoes and fresh parm. In keeping with this country french dish, I wanted a simple, no-nonsense Southern Rhone.
And voila, the 2010 version of the Little James has arrived! It’s not really 2010, it’s NV with 50% 2010 grenache in the blend. The rest is 1999-2009, solera style. It gives the wine more depth than many new releases. A wonderful little red, but not a picnic blend as you would expect from this price point. Very varietally correct. Some provencal spice, white pepper, bright and crisp. Crunchy reds, tangy reds with some plumminess. Depth to please, lightness to refresh. A refreshing, pleasing drink. (87-88 pts.)
Now on my stump for a moment, I’ve been very unhappy with the direction Southern Rhone seems to be taking as a whole, whether that is a creature of warmer climates, Cambie-influence, or whatever, with too many wineries trying to do too much with what natures gives them, and it shows. Janasse is the perfect example. Their CDRs have almost become undrinkable for me. And then along comes a simple, cheap CDR, and I am happy again. Simple pleasures carry the day sometimes.
A house wine by the case or more. A great wine for big parties when you want something better than plonk that won’t break the bank. This wine never disappoints.