J.L Chave - Saint Joseph "Offerus" 2012

This wine tasted heavenly after a long day of home renovation and spring cleaning,
and went well with some cured meat and Robiola cheese...

J.L Chave - Saint Joseph "Offerus" 2012
13,5%
26€ Wine Searcher average price

The grapes are mainly coming from old Syrah vines in Mauves, the heart of Saint Joseph, and St Jean de Muzols. "Vin de Mauves" was actually the historical name of the whole wine region.

St-Jean-de-Muzols

St-Jean-de-Muzols

St-Jean-de-MuzolMauves. "Vin de Mauves" was actually the original name for Saint Joseph.

A "hun warrior" aromas of iron, blood, smoke, grilled meat with forest berries and damp earth.
Lively, yet quite silky and smooth on the palate. Ripe blueberries and plums with a good amount of gaminess. Also some peppery olive tapenade with Herbes de Provence. Decent tannins and acidity. Surprising sweetness in the finish, almost like a lingonberry jam. Nice length. 
Poised and elegant Northern Rhone Syrah. Good value (at least in Northern Rhone standards).
91

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

My, at times snobbish, old world biased palate has been schooled lately...
Of all the places Australia, a wine country I`ve admitedly had quite a bit of prejudice against, has provided many pleasant surprises recently.
Well, I guess taste changes... Wine is a journey, like life, just have to enjoy the ride...


 



















Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon
2012
13,5%
21€ Wine-Searcher average price

This is lovely!
Aromatically explosive: blackcurrant, blueberries, mint, vanilla, sweet tobacco, pine needles and a hint of smoke.
Cool and fresh on the palate; fresh blueberry/blackcurrant jam, mint tea, vanilla cream, herbaceousness. Supple and lively, with strong tannins and acidity leading the high pitched and delicious fruit seamlessly to a lifting finish and a long and drying, a bit herbal aftertaste. Oak gives just a nice finishing spice to the mix, nothing more. Alcohol is totally integrated.
Nice elegance and balance here. What can I say, this Aussie Cab delivers big time!
92