2007, what a year

i have accumulated a number of wines to discuss. presently, we are in the midst of a theme, the southern rhone in 2007. the focus though has been wines which can be found at a reasonable price. another part of this topic is how to shop, in the wine store or on the list, and find a reasonable wine when you really do not know much about the wines offered. the point is that most of the wines from the southern rhone in 2007 are excellent. most of these wines can be drunk young so they are ready to consume now. this combination makes these wines a safe bet.

for tonight, i have gone to the french web site for the wine to look at the local price. the cost in the pennsylvania state store system was $13, although it is listed as a special sale with the "regular" price being $25. it is available elsewhere in the united states for $20 to $25. i will allow the reader to translate the cost from the producer's web site.

i have 2 cases of this wine in my cellar and jill describes it as a food friendly wine, meaning that it shows best when coupled with a meal. we have had it with a variety of foods, it is exceptionally flexible. i have tasted it 2 and 3 days after bottles have been opened and it maintains its character well; i view the ability of a wine to show well when retasted the next day as a sign of an exceptional wine.

this wine is dark ruby. it has the fragrance of flowers, red fruit, and mineral. the flavors reflect its grenache and syrah grapes; it has tastes of red cherry, dark fruit and a touch of mesquite. it has a earthy, mineral finish. there is a hint of dark chocolate. the tannins are fine and well balanced, which i think is why it stands up so well to the oxygen in an open bottle for a couple of days. i like this wine and i think that it should last a couple of years in my cellar and just for amusement i plan on keeping a couple of bottles back to taste in the remote future.

this is "domaine de la soleiade vacqueyras, 2007." the following is from the producer's web site.

Origine
Le domaine familial de la famille Geay est planté sur 45 hectares et porte bien son nom. Les vignes s'épanouissent sur le plateau caillouteux des garrigues, dans le décor grandiose des Dentelles de Montmirail au climat particulièrement ensoleillé.
Vinification
Par des pratiques culturales raisonnées, nous réduisons au maximum les traitements phytosanitaires pour produire un vin pur et naturel. Les raisins issus de vignes à faible rendement (32 hl/ha) sont ramassés à la main à pleine maturité pour obtenir un vin gourmand. Une sélection des meilleures grappes s'effectue lors de la cueillette.
La vinification s'effectue dans notre chais ultra moderne par un subtil mélange de techniques traditionnelles et novatrices.
Le vin est dégusté tous les jours pendant son élaboration pour vous garantir le meilleur.
Nous suivons la fermentation en raisonnant chaque paramètre pour que le raisin se transforme en un vin riche de grande expression aromatique, aux tanins soyeux et enrobés.
Cépages
55 % Grenache
45 % Syrah
Site: vigneronsdecaractere.com
BP1, Route de Vaison la Romaine
84190 Vacqueyras - France
Tél : 04 90 65 84 54

Domaine de la Soleïade 2007

Appelation : Vacqueyras
Gamme : Domaines et châteaux

Vente Internet uniquement
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5,83 €
7,10 €

this wine has been well rated by the wine publications. i recommend this specific wine highly. furthermore, products by des vignerons de caractere are reliable and predictable, a safe bet if one cannot figure out what to get.

i will move on from this southern rhone collection shortly. there are several other wines from this region to post, but i will introduce some variety soon. as spring has seemingly begun, preparations for blush wines will begin as well; the previously discussed domaine rouge bleu can be viewed as a standard as blush wines are described.