I expect a certain amount of discipline and elegance to a Rhone Village wine. This wine is quite dark in color with some dark fruits coming through on the nose. On the mid pallet the wine displays some fruit forward sweetness with some dark fruits coming through. On the finish on opening the 14% alcohol comes through fairly prominently. Off to the decanter for this one. The finish is fairly dry with some tannins. While not a terrible wine it is by no means a great wine. After an hour in the decanter the alcohol was still the prominent taste in this wine. I would give it an 88 or so. I won’t be running out to grab more that’s for sure.
From the LCBO web site:
ORTAS TRADITION RASTEAU 2008 VINTAGES 998716 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 15.00
Wine, Red Wine, 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : D
Made in: Rhone, France By: Cave de Rasteau
Release Date: Jan 9, 2010
Description
A Gold Medal winner at the 2009 Concours des Grands Vins de France in Mâcon.
Tasting Note
This blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre displays an attractive nose of wild berries, black fruit, pepper and a hint of tar. This dry, soft-textured, medium-bodied wine features juicy black fruit and hints of leather and pepper. Very pleasant match indeed for comfort foods like lamb stew, shepherd’s pie or beef casserole. (VINTAGES panel, Aug. 2009)
What winecurrent.com had to say about this wine:
14.0% alcohol Another French gold medal winner this wine wears a bright cherry robe with hints of purple. The nose is redolent of petits fruits—blackberries and raspberries—along with the wonderful herbs producing garrigue. With flavors consistent with the aromas its a dry medium-bodied wine that has a seam of refreshing acidity and perceptible tannins. A hint of berry tartness and pepper linger on the warm finish. A hearty winter stew will do. (Susan Desjardins) (998716) $15.00 Rating 4.5/5.
