TNs: Two 07 Cotes du Rhones

WINE TALK
#1
  • 2007 Domaine les Grands Bois Côtes du Rhône Cuvée les Trois Soeurs - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône (12/20/2009)
    14.5% alcohol. Dark red/purple color. Youthful bouquet of blue and black fruit, with vanilla and meat on the nose. In the mouth, a young bruiser, with strong fruit and good ripeness, a pleasant meaty quality, good acidity, and a rustic finish. B+
  • 2007 Domaine Olivier Hillaire Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône (12/19/2009)
    14.0% alcohol. This has been, to date, my favorite example of the tasty 2007 Cotes du Rhones. Solid red color. Interesting, red-fruited nose that has great minerality and a distinct pepper note. In the mouth, racy and bright, with red-laced fruit but the pepper note stays, along with ample acidity. Solid finish showing some tannins. This is elegant and lovely, if just a touch rustic on the finish. B+/A-

Posted from CellarTracker

#2

Someone tell Tom that the '07 Rhones are the greatest wines in the greatest vintage from any viticultural area EVAR.

Those 'B’s have no business being there.

#3

Thanks for the notes Tom. I didn’t like the OH CDR that I popped a few months prior, but have read nice notes about it flowing in. I will open another one in the near future and re-evaluate.

#4

Your last line indicates that touch of finishing rusticity is a pejorative in your vernacular. Not for me!

#5

Rustic for me tends to denote something wrong on the finish … that is, it’s not something I covet. But it stood out in this wine because it WAS elegant … with just that of rusticity at the end that kept it from the A-.

I would say that, from what I’ve drunk at the low-level here, I prefer the 2005s from the Rhone. I also prefer the 2000s from Bordeaux … But I do not have my palate insured. [oops.gif]

#6

Drinking the Hillaire now thanks to your rec Tom- that TN is spot on. Has nice red fruits and a decent but tannic finish. Stacks of this at Costco in Houston for $11.99