TASTING NOTES 2020 by Jeb Dunnuck
Jebdunnuck.com
Cairanne red “La Boutine” 2020
All Grenache from the sandy soils of Cairanne. It’s another pretty, pure, incredibly elegant 2020 that readers will love, offering plenty of black raspberry and darker fruits as well as complex notes of orange blossom, violets, and spice. Hitting the palate with medium-bodied richness, a balanced, silky mouthfeel, and ultra-fine tannins, drink this beautiful, sexy, seamless Grenache over the coming 7-8 years as well.
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Rasteau red “Héritage 1924” 2020
All Grenache from very old vines, this wine reveals a vivid purple/ruby hue to go with perfumed aromatics of kirsch liqueur, ground pepper, and flowery incense. It’s medium to full-bodied, pure, balanced, and has a seamless mouthfeel. Raised all in concrete tank, this naked expression of Grenache is going to drink beautifully for a decade.
93
Roaix red “Les Hautes Granges” 2020
Also terrific, this 100% Syrah is from the limestone soils of the Les Hautes Granges lieu-dit. It was destemmed and aged in 10% new barrels. Blackberries, ground pepper, violets, and a kiss of Northern Rhône gaminess all emerge from the glass, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a rich, layered mouthfeel, some background oak, and a great finish. It has another 7-8 years, probably a decade, of life ahead of it.
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Rasteau red “La Ponce” 2020
I always seem to love this cuvée, and the 2020 is no exception, with a juicy, plump, fruit-forward style carrying lots of plum and black cherry fruits, medium-bodied richness, ripe, soft tannins, and classic Rasteau spice, flowers, and Provençal herbs. It ages reasonably well but I think is best enjoyed in its first 7-8 years.
91
Rasteau red “Les Coteaux” 2020
An 80/20 split of Grenache and Syrah, this wine has a darker slant in its cherry and assorted berry fruits as well as notions of ground pepper and smoked earth. This medium-bodied, round, supple, pretty Rasteau does everything right, and while it’s drinking nicely today, it should last for 8-10 years in cold cellars.
91
Carainne red “Le Ventabren” 2020
It’s a beautifully finesse-driven, medium-bodied, elegant Cairanne offering ample red, blue, and black fruits, Provençal notes of lavender and ground pepper, fine tannins, and outstanding length. From a mix of vineyards (mostly limestone soils) and aged 15 months all in concrete, drink this outstanding Cairanne over the coming 7-8 years.
90
Rasteau red “Argilla ad Argillam” 2020
This wine is straighter and more focused, with medium-bodied richness and fine, elegant tannins. Based on 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah that was aged in amphora, it’s certainly not a blockbuster, but I love its balance, and it has terrific purity in its red and black fruits and outstanding length.
90
Rasteau red “Classique” 2020
Ripe black cherries, some blue fruits, pepper, and classic Southern Rhône spice notes emerge from this wine, a medium-bodied Rasteau that shows the elegant, pretty, balanced style of the vintage beautifully. A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, it’s a smoking value to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years, if not longer.
90
Côtes du Rhône red “Les Antimagnes” 2020
This wine has Provençal red and black fruits, some lavender, spice, and peppery nuances, medium body, and a charming, elegant style best drunk over the coming 3-4 years.
89
Côtes du Rhône red “Les Sablières” 2020
This wine is a supple, mid-weight charmer revealing medium-bodied aromas and flavors of blackberries, violets, and pepper. It’s as easy drinking as they come.
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