So Georges dos Santos explained to me that Cotes Blonde is an indication that the winery chose only the best of the best fruits to produce a selection. I have to take his word for that, and you should too. Red fruits and thyme (yes, thyme) on the nose. Light peppery notes, more red fruit, and a strong tannin finish. I could have let this one lay down for a while – wish I’d known (OK, 2013, I should have known, but was too excited and jet-lagged to think about it please stop picking on me, thanks). Spice, white pepper, and green herbs on the finish. A lovely full bodied wine that, yet again, belies France’s reputation for almost exclusively producing finesse wines.
- Rating: Impressive
- Name: Gilles Barge Cote Blonde 2013
- Winery: Gilles Barge
- Region: Cote-Rotie
- Country: France
- Varietals: Rhone blend, certainly including Syrah?
- Price: 50 Euros
- Where to Buy: Antic Wines, Lyon, France
Posto Novo 