TASTING NOTES 2023 by Jeb Dunnuck
Jebdunnuck.com
Rasteau red “Héritage 1924” 2023
Gorgeous in every way, the 2023 Rasteau Heritage 1924 presents sweet raspberries, framboise, and floral notes in a ripe, powerful, yet weightless, medium to full-bodied package, framed by ultra-fine tannins. Based on 100% destemmed Grenache brought up all in concrete, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next 10-12 years.
94
CDRV Plan de Dieu red “Calendal” 2023
The 2023 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Plan De Dieu is the usual blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Mourvèdre that was destemmed and brought up in 20% new French oak barrels. Black raspberries, peppery garrigue, acacia flowers, and sweet spice like notes all emerge on the nose, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a plush, seamless, sexy mouthfeel, and no hard edges. It reminds me of the 2018.
92-94
Rasteau red “Argilla ad Argillam” 2023
Full-bodied, round, and seamless, the 2023 Argilla Ad Argillam offers roasted herbs, meaty nuances, pepper, and deep red and black fruits. Beautifully layered with sweet tannins, it’s a remarkable wine to enjoy over the coming 12-15 years.
93
Côtes du Rhône white “La Galopine” 2023
The 2023 Côtes Du Rhône La Galopine Blanc checks in as 45% each of Roussanne and Marsanne with 10% Viognier. Its medium gold hue is followed by a beautiful nose of honeyed citrus, white peach, and flowers. It’s medium-bodied on the palate and has a round, layered mouthfeel and a great finish. It’s a beautiful dry white from the south of France that will offer incredible drinking over the coming 4-6 years.
92
Rasteau red “La Ponce” 2023
The 2023 Rasteau La Ponce is spicy and savory, showing leather, red and black fruits, and herbal notes. Medium to full-bodied, balanced, and loaded with character, it will offer prime drinking over the next 10-12 years.
91-93
Rasteau red “Les Coteaux” 2023
More elegant in style, the 2023 Rasteau Les Coteaux offers roasted garrigue, pepper, leather, and red and blue fruits. Medium to full-bodied, seamless, and beautifully balanced, with polished tannins, it should drink beautifully over the coming decade.
91-93
Rasteau red “Classique” 2023
The 2023 Rasteau Classique reveals ripe, round blue fruits, peppery herbs, and liquid violets. Medium to full-bodied, elegant, round, and supple, it’s a sexy, beautifully textured wine to enjoy over the next 8-10 years.
90-92
Carainne red “La Boutine” 2023
Plush, soft, and forward, the 2023 Cairanne La Boutine offers black cherry, blackberry, peppery garrigue, and violet notes in a medium-plus bodied, round, and elegant profile with soft tannins and moderate acidity. This pleasure-bomb of 100% Grenache was aged nine months in concrete and amphora with the goal to hold onto as much freshness as possible in the Grenache. Drink bottles through 2033.
91
Carainne red “Le Ventabren” 2023
The 2023 Cairanne Le Ventabren offers ample darker raspberries, herbes de Provence, pepper, and subtle dried flower notes in a medium-bodied, pure, elegant profile that should easily be outstanding. Based on 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Carignan that was all destemmed, it will spend a year in concrete and, I suspect, drink well right out of the gate.
89-91