Domaine Gris de Bauries

Great stuff from this winery and the winemakers are really nice people too.

2008 Les Estras Rose. A rose of Syrah by a saignee method in which the tanks are filled with grapes from the top as free run juice is bled from the bottom. Enticing nose of fennel, melon and strawberry. Soft and easy structure. Probably great with a million different lighter dishes.

2008 Cotes-du-Rhone “Les Chaix”. 100% Grenache. I think I liked this wine best because it was so spicy for a light Grenache. Anise, black pepper, garrigue and kirsch. Light and simple palate. Low tannin and medium minus acidity. To be drunk while those spicy flavors are still exuberant and the fruit lively. Again I can’t really imagine what this is going to clash with aside from obvious seafaring culprits but I might stick with lighter fare to highlight the spices.  Something like grilled veggies, especially eggplant.

I wasn’t nuts about their other two, dunno why, they were both sound but I expected more from them given the way their ostensibly lesser siblings flaunted themselves. Maybe they suffered more from bottle sickness than the lighter wines.

2008 Cotes-du-Rhone Villages “Duo des Achaux”. 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah. Cherry and subtle herbs. A little more structure. Solid and tasty.

2008 Cotes-du-Rhone “Serre de la Dame” 100% Syrah. Muted nose. Red fruits, black pepper and hints of nori. The most savory flavors of the bunch. The tannins are medium minus and soft. The acidity also in the medium range. Big enough to stand up well to some heavier fare like lamb or beef stew.