Wine Review - 2010 Lavau Cotes Du Rhone Villages: A Strong Smelling French Blend

We picked this up during our last wine purchases of 2013 at Bishop's Cellar here in Halifax.  We have had another wine from this producer which we reviewed in 2012.  This wine is slightly less expensive at $16 but the quality is very high.  As a Rhone blend it is 50/50 Grenache and Syrah.

The wine is ruby red but slightly thin looking though you can't see through it.  Very nice looking wine but I would say if you had to look at a wine and call it French, this would be it.  That's not a plus nor a minus just a comment on the look of the wine.

The nose, however, is wicked-awesome (as our Boston friends might say).  It has a very peppery nose that is all at once oaky and fragrant.  It smells of sumac which is why we immediately thought Lebanese food would pair very well with this wine.  Things like Hummus and Tabouli combined with grilled Lamb would be awesome with this wine.  It is leathery and gives off notes of blueberries or raspberries.

The flavours are well balanced with slightly tart finish.  Tannins are good and in check, keeping the wine dry with just a touch of sugar at the end.  It is definitely a medium bodied wine with plumy notes.  Delicious and it would be great with or without food.

	Tasting Notes:	Score:
Sight (0-5)	Ruby red and slightly thin looking wine.  It looks like French wine if that is possible.	4.0
Smell (0-5)	Awesome nose with pepper, berries, sumac with solid oak notes.	4.5
Taste (0-10)	Medium bodied wine with good balance and slightly tart finish.	8.25
	Total:	16.75 / 20 (83.75%)

The previous Lavau we reviewed was a bit more expensive and still really good but this price point is great.  It is a Buy recommendation for the nose alone.

Keep on tasting!

Chris & Shannon