WTN: 2004 Domaine Coursodon St Joseph

This is the second wine I've had from this producer-the previous was labelled Syrah
Based on this tiny sample, Coursodon does have a house style, which is light, fresh, and maybe even elegant.

Maybe because I still drink more California wines, but I don't "get" the reviews that talk of ripe black fruit. Instead: remember when we talked about Pinots that are tasting more like Syrah? This is a Syrah that has the light body and COLOR of a Pinot!

Nonetheless, I enjoy this style of wine-very nice light red cherry fruit, some meatiness on the back of the palate, some pepperyness.

One thing I am discovering about Rhone Syrahs is I almost enjoy sniffing them more than drinking them. Not saying that I disliked these flavors at all, just that it was hard to make myself swallow because I love the cherry, white pepper, hint of meat aromas! Delicious wine to just sniff! 89 points.

Based on this tiny sample, Coursodon does have a house style, which is light, fresh, and maybe even elegant..

I've never actually had a Coursodon wine so you're two ahead of me. But the reputation is for modern polished maybe even elegant yet slightly oaky wines at the top of the hierarchy. Sounds like this was delicious however, and obviously cheaper.

Based on this tiny sample, Coursodon does have a house style, which is light, fresh, and maybe even elegant..

I've never actually had a Coursodon wine so you're two ahead of me. But the reputation is for modern polished maybe even elegant yet slightly oaky wines at the top of the hierarchy. Sounds like this was delicious however, and obviously cheaper.

Not a lot of oak on this lesser cuvee, Rahsaan.

To be honest, French wines that are described as "oaky" or "modern" rarely bother me as much as many (most??) California wines. If one is so used to the vanilla bombs, the oaky French ones seem balanced!

If one is so used to the vanilla bombs, the oaky French ones seem balanced!

It's all relative.

Hence the extreme importance of palate calibration when talking about wine.

The selection 'La Sensonne' is much weightier and longer lived. I have 1997/8 still to drink.

Brian,

I have tasted the St. Joseph Syrah. I thought it was quite a clean and clear expression of the grape. Nicely balanced and not pretentious at all, in my opinion. At the price ($24) I would definitely pick it up again if I had the chance.