More Blends from France
Domaine de l’Hortus, Bergerie Classique Rouge 2005:
~$15US, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Pic-St. Loup Languedoc, France
Raspberries and V8 Juice. A round and accessible wine, with a nice viscosity and fleshiness. Plush tannnins. Some subtle wild herbs and spices lead to a minerally finish. A Medium-full bodied wine drinking well right now - I’d pair it with a tomato-beef stew. A distinctive terroir-driven twist on a classic Rhone blend. As with the rest of Orliac’s wines, a strong buy.
Mas de Gourgonnier: Baux de Provence 2006
~$15US, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Grenache, Mourvedre, Baux de Provence, France
Rustic and deep - with very clearly articulated violets and lavender on the nose. Mixed berries and lively acidity. A little leather and hay. The tannins here are stiff but ripe and showed much more integration on the second day. Reminescent of a very good Cotes-du-Rhone Village. This has another 3-5 years in bottle to flourish and would do well with a rib-steak or anything that you’d sprinkle (duh) Herbs-de-Provence onto. This is some serious juice under $20 - although I think the Bergerie’s palate was a touch more distinctive and graceful on my palate.