GSM | Jason's Wine Blog | Trader Joe's Wine Reviews and more

Archive for the ‘GSM’ Category

2005 Perrin Cotes du Rhone Reserve

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

Price: $6.99 @ Trader Joe’s

What They Said:

Per wine.com “Jean Pierre and Francois Perrin have taken particular care that this Cotes du Rhone meets their stringent standards of excellence. As proprietors of Chateau de Beaucastel in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the Perrin family has demonstrated exceptionally high standards for nearly a century.

The Rouge originates from a significant portion of the Perrin’s own vineyards, including those at Château Grand Prebois. Produced from 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre, some of which are flash-heated using the same methods as those at Château de Beaucastel, the fruit is rich and jammy with peppery spice, concentration and intensity.”

What I Think:

This one was also written up on quaffability which encouraged me to finally give it a go after looking at it luke-warmly for so long…We have a typical Rhone GSM blend here (60/20/20) with light fruit on the nose followed by loads of spice and pepper. On the palate you get some cherry and blackberry before the spice takes over midway and merges into woody/barrel flavors for a finish. The last Rhone I’ve had from TJ’s was this Les Moirets from the same vintage. Which do I prefer? Not sure but both are nice. Next time I hit the store I’ll grab them both for a side by side tasting. Then I can definitively select a winner! Anyone out there have an opinion on which is better?

Rating: Buy It

How do you rate it?

Avoid It/Rip Off!Skip It/Not for Me12th Bottle/PriceyBuy It/Wow!Bulk Buy/Cellar It (1 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
Loading ... Loading ...

Share This:
  • TwitThis
  • Facebook
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati

2005 Pont du Rhone Cotes du Rhone

Thursday, May 3rd, 2007

Price: $4.99 @ Trader Joe’s imported by Plume Ridge Wine Negotiants

What They Said:

Per quaffability “This Rhône quaffer features a classic Grenache nose of sage, herb de provence and cherries. With a robust nose, the wine is surprisingly thin in the mouth, with cherries, watermelon, raspberries, and a touch or barnyard. Coming after a sensation of such thiness in the mouth, the simple finish is surprisingly long. This is a pleasant wine, but light. It’s probably best served chilled, and would work well with shellfish or other seafood dishes.”

Interestingly from the label “A wonderfully fruity red wine with violet, spices and choclate aromas. Excellent served with braised red or white meats. It is also an accompaniment for exoticism or very spicy dishes.

What I Think:

Tried this side by side with the Oxford Landing and it paled a bit in comparison. Maybe cause of the blend. This was 40% Grenache 30% Syrah and 30% Mourvedre. Guess that would make it a little less fruity and on the dryer side, no? We had it with turkey tacos and I think this may have been a bit too spicy for the wine so better try the “exoticism” next time. Leaves something to be desired, it seems like it is going somewhere but never arrives. That said, a very drinkable wine. Never would have thought of trying the suggested seafood pairing, maybe I’ll give it a go.

Rating: 12th Bottle

How do you rate it?

Avoid It/Rip Off!Skip It/Not for Me12th Bottle/PriceyBuy It/Wow!Bulk Buy/Cellar It (2 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
Loading ... Loading ...

Share This:
  • TwitThis
  • Facebook
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati

2005 Oxford Landing GSM

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007

Price: $7.99 @ BevMo imported by Negociants Napa

What They Said:

Per BevMo “The 2005 Oxford Landing GSM possesses herbal, peppery, red cherry, spice, and earthy notes, light tannin, and ripe, round fruit. Drink it over the next 12-18 months.”

What I Think:

This is a wine that we had while traveling through Australia a few months ago.  I enjoyed it there and have enjoyed it again here.  This wine made me keen to try more of the Aussie blends.  Generally blends outside of France were on my list of things to avoid.  As an aside this wine cost more in Australia than in the US.  In Australia they have a wet tax of 25% added to the cost of all alcohol.  This blend was 56% Grenache 33% Shiraz and 11% Mourvedre.  Put this one on the 5c sale and I’ll grab a case.

Rating: Buy It (this one borders on Bulk Buy for me)

How do you rate it?

Avoid It/Rip Off!Skip It/Not for Me12th Bottle/PriceyBuy It/Wow!Bulk Buy/Cellar It (1 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
Loading ... Loading ...

Share This:
  • TwitThis
  • Facebook
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati