WTN: Two Fine Côtes du Rhone Values

[David M. Bueker]

• 2005 Clos du Mont Olivet Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes Montueil la Levade - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône (5/19/2008)
  Lots of berry fruit and garrigue with a warm earth background note. There's good structure and lots of persistence. A wonderful value ($12.99 before case discount) that bears a close family resemblance to the Mont Olivet CNdP.
• 2005 Domaine de l'Ameillaud Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne (5/19/2008)
  An immediate aromatic rush of crushed raspberry fruit is complemented by tar and spice notes. Flavors are direct & fruity, with some finishing spice, but little complexity at this stage. But the fruit is so delicious it's impossible to not want to drink it before it's had time to calm down & develop. Fantastic QPR at $11.99 before case discounts. This has the potential to be a truly outstanding wine if it does develop just a bit. If it doesn't so what, it's darned yummy as it is.

CdR has been my major rediscovery of the past coupla months--actually stretching back to a Dom. Charvin I had around New Year's that I would have described very much like your Carianne. CdR seems a perfectly versatile red for spring / summer. One bad note: A Gonnet family La Font du Vent "Notre Passion" 2004--actually a CdRV, I think--that I opened last night tasted close to over-the-hill (somewhat oxidized on the nose, a bit tire-y on the palate). Up till now, bottles have been beautiful. I'm blaming the synthetic cork. A recent Segries really delivered for under $10, and an even cheaper Les Trois Chemins was better than respectable. I've got a Santa Duc in queue.

(edited to fix incomplete/incomprehensible sentence.)

[David M. Bueker]

Synth corks - the demise of many a lovely little wine.