Inadvertently, I let this one sit for an hour or so in my glass, and when I came back to it I was enormously surprised at how much the wine had opened up.  The Féraud-Brunel Côtes du Rhône Villages consists of a high percentage of Grenache, a grape typically found in southern Rhône-style wines.  When I first popped open the bottle, I got […]

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Wow.  I’m still incredulous about the fact that this bottle cost only $14.  This blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon had a classy, medium body that was complemented perfectly by a velvety texture, and the wine’s flavors and aromas included dark cherry and vanilla along with red bell pepper and dirt.  Granted, this wine’s earthy qualities may seem a little strange in a beverage made exclusively from fruit, but they really do add enjoyment […]

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Recently, I was looking for a reasonably priced Merlot in the ten to fifteen dollar range, when I came upon the Château la Colline Côté Ouest 2004.  Aside from being a superb value at $13.50 and another perfect companion on a chilly winter’s day, the Côté Ouest’s blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon is made all the more […]

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We opened this bottle last night, and I can’t wait to fill up another glass this evening.  One of my favorite things about wine in general is that the same variety of grape grown in two different regions can produce wines with entirely different characteristics due to the influence of factors like soil composition and sun exposure.  If you’d like to experience this […]

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Try this wine and you are guaranteed at least a “hmmmm.”  Think dark berries, must, tobacco, even a little bit of old leather; picture an old library, close your eyes and take a deep breath.  There are no tropical fruits or florals here. 
I was drawn to seek out a Rhône for today because I recently heard a bit about 2005’s having been a killer year […]

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