TN: Texier Cotes du Rhone

2013 Eric Texier Côtes du Rhône Saint-Julien-en-Saint-Alban Vieille Serine Domaine de Pergaud - this probably has the distinction of having the longest wine name I've come across, but nonetheless it was a pleasant sip - both very dark in colour and obviously Northern Rhone, with a bit of funk plus black olive in the nose, and in the mouth it was a grippy wine but not overly tannic now, and very tasty. I expect that it has hit plateau and will drink well for a few years yet.

I'd rate it as good or a tad better than a 2007 Coudoulet de Beaucastel I had a little while ago, and better than a 2013 Texier CduR Brezeme I had a little while ago, but not as good as my favourite CduR, a 1996 Rayas Fonsalette,, which I should get into again in the near future.

[David M. Bueker]

As much as I love Texier, I would always expect a Rayas wine to be on another level.

[Jenise]

Ditto. Rayas is in a class by itself.

I've always viewed Rayas CduR as being a junior CnduP and not that junior at that. The only thing wrong with it is the price - the 96 now sells for $400+ Can.

Beaucastel's Coudoulet is also very good in some vintages.but not of the same class as the Fonsalette. Another one I've tasted recently that is very good indeed is is the St. Cosme Gigie, not a CduR

Domaine de Pergaud is the designation for Eric's best expressions of terroir, usually in the form of micro-productions from very old vines.

Here Eric dubs his wine “Vieille Serine” after the ancient strain of Syrah. Some even speculate Serine isn't Syrah at all but it's own genetic entity.

Prior to Eric taking over these vines, they'd been farmed exclusively by a Protestant religious group known as the Darbistes. The result: chemicals have never been used on this site in its 400 years of existence.

Mostly whole-cluster, one week maceration. Fermented in concrete and aged in 2500l barrels and demi-muids.