Tuesday, March 05, 2013

2011 Adissat CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE "Isabelle" (Southern Rhone, France)

A simple, gutsy, large-scaled red.  Maybe a couple of years will bring a bit more complexity, but right now it's like a big, gangly teenager.

Very dark ruby/violet.  Intense, straightforward nose of  black raspberry fruit, and smoky minerality.  Huge and ripe in the mouth.  More like a Spanish Garnacha or big Cali field blend than a CDP or anything else from the Rhone.  Loads of soft tannin , and massive body.  Lowish acids.  I'd let this sit a year or two to lose its galumphy directness, but not much longer, as the alcohol is likely to start burning through the fruit.  B.   Was $26.99 from WTSO.com, which, given that this is comparable to a good $12 - $15 old vine Spanish Garnacha, makes this a poor value.  Imported by Serge Dore Selections.

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