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Green pepper and tobacco aromas signal some of the sour fruit that appears on the palate. Tastes of beets and pie cherries and an oaky, disparate finish doesn’t do much to shape things up. Too sour and scattered. 1 Note
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1 Notes / 0 Ratings
Straightforward Crozes, with peppery aromas balanced by flavors of cherries and sour plums. Smooth in the mouth, but slightly tart and olivaceous on the finish. 1 Note
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1 Notes / 0 Ratings
Leather and cherry scents, with just a hint of bacon fat, lead into a black-cherry and leather palate. Could use more stuffing, but finishes well: soft and smooth. Not for aging; drink now. 1 Note
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1 Notes / 0 Ratings
A solid value from the Northern Rhône, the 2007 Petite Ruche is a broad, mouthfilling wine that doesn't go over the top. Instead, the honey, peach and citrus notes gain focus on the slightly oily finish, picking up hints of truffle along the way. Drink now. 1 Note
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1 Notes / 0 Ratings
Peppery and herbal upfront, then come deeper notes of coffee, black olive and sour plum. Rather fleshy for an ’04, with ample mouthfeel and supple tannins. Turns peppery and tart on the finish. A good effort for the vintage. 1 Note
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1 Notes / 0 Ratings
If that’s not tire rubber on the nose, then what is it? An overabundance of black pepper? Road tar? Whatever—it isn’t appealing, especially at first. But with time the wine sheds its hard exterior and while not exactly rolling out a welcome mat, it does open up. Ultimately some decent black fruit dances with the firm texture, but it’s far from a ballet. 1 Note
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1 Notes / 0 Ratings
Somewhat meaty, with chunky apricot and pear aromas as well as apple, lemon and herb flavors. There’s good power here, more so than poise, so while it’s short on complexity, it’s full-flavored and forward. 1 Note
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Punchy and light by regional standards, with cherry, raspberry and some citrus to the nose. The palate is medium weight at best, with crunchy, crisp tannins backing red-fruit flavors. A little earthy as well, and simple to drink if you don't mind a wine with crispness. 1 Note
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1 Notes / 0 Ratings
A nosing of this is like getting up close with fresh pavement. It has a tar-like smell and some horsehide accents. The palate is grapy, while the finish is hard and leathery. Based on past tastings, the producer, the appellation and the vintage aren’t in doubt, but for some reason this wine doesn’t sing. –M.S. 1 Note
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As you might expect, this is extraordinarily youthful—vibrant purple in color and full of somewhat unformed dark fruit. Pepper and smoke notes accent bold blueberry flavors, while the supple tannins impart a silky texture. Drink 2007–2015. 1 Note
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M. Chapoutier Syrah - 2001
