London, Cotes-du-rhone & Jeroboams
While in London I regularly purchase wine from the Jeroboams store on Heath Street, which is an agreeable distance from my flat. I like, on each trip, to concentrate on an individual wine region. Last year it was the wines of Tuscany. Mainly Sangiovese based wines. Super concentrated wines with tight tannins and big flavours, Chianti’s and Montepulciano and the like. I limit my budget to either side the twenty-pound mark, this puts me into a price range that can often provide some excellent wines. The staff at Jeroboams are always quite helpful and will direct you in pretty much the right direction, even if their product knowledge isn't always spot on. For a small store they have an excellent selection across many different regions and price points, yet I can’t help but chuckle at the rather out of place music that is always pounding away in store.
I have a soft spot for the wines of southern France, particularly Cotes-du-Rhone and in particularly the grenache based wines of the southern Rhone. These is my go to wines, incredibly food friendly, easy drinking and on most occasions, won’t break the bank account. Any E. Gugal or Chapoutier Cotes-du-Rhone at about twenty bucks is a great everyday wine. Swapping from big and oaky Australian reds takes a little transition but well worth it. Just quickly the Rhone is divided into northern and southern appellations. The wines of the north are predominantly Syrah based whilst it’s Grenache in the South. Pages could be written about the nuances of every single French wine region; they can be quite confusing so I’m just going to stick to some tasting notes. Prices are approximates in Australian Dollars. I paid for all wines tasted.
Domaine Charvin Côtes du Rhône Le Poutet, Rhone, France 2014 14.5% $38
Domaine Charvin is located in the north of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The Domaine produces finely balanced Grenache based wines averaging around 80% with smaller amounts of vacaresse, mourvedre, carignan and bourboulenc. The 2014 Côtes du Rhône extremely well balanced wine with hints of black fruits, pepper, spice and dark fruits. Medium-bodied with soft tannins and balanced acidity. It is quite alcoholic at 14.5% but not jammy or sweet. Excellent with everything, shame its so damn smooth and on the high side of my budget as I'd drink this wine all day long.
Domaine de Mourchon Grande Réserve 2012 Côtes du Rhône Villages contrôlée 14.5% $34
Another top shelf and delicious Cotes-du-Rhone. Smooth and balanced with interesting complexity. Not as intense as the Charvin, albeit different vintages. The 2012 vintage being a superior vintage to the tricky 2014. This wine has a deep purple colour. Fragrant with a pepper and red fruits. It’s a full-bodied wine with good balance and integrated tannins. 65 % grenache, 35 % syarh. Anything lamb particularly on the BBQ.
Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas 2014 14.5% $45
This southern Rhone wine was a standout, and slightly more expensive. Once again mostly Grenache with syarh, mourvedre and carignan, in smaller percentages. Quite minerally and stoney yet smooth, a warm generous wine with deep structure. Deep black and red fruits with gentle acid and strong bones. One of my favourite Gigondas, prefect to impress at dinner with a heap of solid structure to compete with big flavours on the plate.
Famille Perrin Coudoulet de Beaucastel Cotes-du-Rhone 2014 13.5%
Another southern Rhone blend. I really liked this wine. Lighter in alcohol and easy drinking this is a classic cotes du Rhône. Delicious red fruits and violets with a touch of licquice and cherries. Warm and gentle with grippy tannins and strong structure.
Etienne Pochon Croses-Hermitage 2015 14% $25
Thought I’d throw in a Shiraz/syarh from the north Rhone, just as a comparison. Simple red fruits with springy tannins and pleasant finish. An easy drinking style, but still quite approachable. Good standard of everyday drinking.
Domaine Anne Gros Jean-Paul Tollot Les Fontanilles Minervois 2014 13.5% $29
Burgundian wine makers making wine in western Languedoc area of southern France around the town of Minerva, a village 40km from the Mediterranean coast and surrounded by the southern French foothills. The wines are essentially a southern Rhone Blend of Grenache, Syarh, mourvedre and carignan. This wine is deep purple in colour, excellent acidity and mouth filling tannins with a great long finish. This reminds me a lot of the smells around that area, brambles, stone and red fruit. A good style for drinking everyday yet elegant enough for something a bit more. Delicious.
