Clear, calm and fairly pretty, with some density and earthiness. The palate is like fresh fruit on a sun-drenched day, and the finish is chewy, substantive and textured. Short on complexity, but it has a lot going for it considering that it’s a co-op wine.
— M.S.
(1/1/2004)
The aromas are slightly waxy at first, with some sweetness and spice below the surface. But the palate is rich and oily, with banana and tropical fruit. The finish is light, smooth and easy, though not too exciting or loud. Here the virtues outweigh the faults, leaving a solid overall impression.
— M.S.
(9/1/2003)
This wine from the Val d’Orbieu group is a traditional southern French blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan. The aromas are of tree bark and spice; they aren’t too lush but they are pleasant and fresh. Tart cherry and spice runs the palate before a mild, smooth finish. Taste it and you’ll agree that it’s the prototypical bistro wine, one that is light…
— M.S.
(2/1/2003)
Spicy, with raspberry and spearmint aromas. Shows cranberry and plum skin on the palate, which is lean and lacking in the texture category. Gets better with airing, but still shows some bitterness on the finish and not much in the middle.
— M.S.
(9/1/2003)
Quite gold in color, with vanilla, candle wax, banana and apricot aromas. All this may make it sound more complex than it is; in reality, it’s a basic wine with apple and citrus flavors and a somewhat flat, low-acid feel.
— M.S.
(9/1/2003)
Spicy, with raspberry and spearmint aromas. Shows cranberry and plum skin on the palate, which is lean and lacking in the texture category. Gets better with airing, but still shows some bitterness on the finish and not much in the middle.
— M.S.
(9/1/2003)
Quite nondescript, with spicy chili aromas and other hard-to-peg piquant smells. The palate is sweet, awkward and deals cinnamon and clove along with weak berry fruit. It’s almost there, but throughout it lacks a certain something.
— M.S.
(9/1/2003)
Sweet aromas of leather and caramel seem murky and tired. The palate comes without snap, and that’s despite some plum and raspberry flavors. The finish is lean and basic, and overall it’s a simple wine that doesn’t really taste much like Syrah.
— M.S.
(9/1/2003)