Featured HPS Côtes du Rhône Wines Vinous, June 1st 2016 All reviews by Josh Raynolds Domaine du Pégau Plan Pégau Lot 11-12-13 90 (a blend of vintages 2011, 2012, 2013; raised in used barriques): Ruby-red. Aromas of musky red fruit, candied flowers, cured meat and garrigue take on a smoky mineral element in the glass. Sweet and penetrating, offering juicy raspberry and cherry flavors and a zesty jolt of white pepper. Shows very good intensity and fruity punch on the finish, which is shaped by silky, even tannins. Pink Pégau 2015 Rosé 90 Lurid orange-pink. Yeasty pear, white peach, jasmine and yellow apple scents are sharpened by a suggestion of white pepper. Highly floral and spicy in the mouth, offering round red berry and pit fruit flavors that show red-wine-like weight and texture. In a fleshy, broad, creamy style that reminds me of a Poulsard from the Jura. Closes on a candied lavender note, with blood orange and fennel notes lingering. Intriguing stuff, somewhere between pink, orange and red in character, and probably not for everyone. Château Pégau 2015 Cuvée Lone Blanc 90 Green-tinged straw. Fresh melon, pear and jasmine on the deeply scented nose. Fleshy and broad but lively as well, offering juicy honeydew and orchard fruit flavors given spine by a zesty mineral quality. Shows very good intensity and power on the finish, which hangs on with tenacity and suave florality. Château Pégau 2014 Cuvée Lone Blanc 89 Light yellow. Ripe pear, melon and tarragon on the pungent nose. Fleshy and broad on the palate, offering bitter pear skin and lemon curd flavors and a touch of chamomile. Finishes chewy and firm, showing lingering pear and anise notes and a late jolt of ginger. Pretty grown-up for the category, and I wouldn t be surprised to see this wine aging nicely over the next few years.
Château Pégau 2013 Cuvée Maclura 88 Bright ruby-red. Spicy red berries and cherry on the incisive nose and in the mouth. Fresh and focused, with a peppery element adding refreshing back-end cut. The peppery note defines the finish, which lingers with good persistence and gripping tannins. Château Pégau 2013 Cuvée Setier 89 Vivid ruby-red. Mineral- and spice-tinged red fruit aromas are complicated by candied licorice and lavender nuances. Nervy and sharply delineated, offering bitter cherry and peppery spice flavors that unfold slowly. Shows good cut and thrust on the finish, which is firmed by dusty, slow-building tannins. Selection Laurence Féraud 2013 Côtes du Rhône 88 Full ruby. Aromas of pungent dark berries, cherry pit and peppery spices, backed by a hint of licorice. Smoky cassis and bitter cherry flavors are given spine and focus by juicy acidity, which adds back-end cut. Dusty tannins shape the dark-fruit-driven finish, which lingers with good, smoky tenacity. 2
Pink Pégau 2015 Rosé 90 Lurid orange-pink. Yeasty pear, white peach, jasmine and yellow apple scents are sharpened by a suggestion of white pepper. Highly floral and spicy in the mouth, offering round red berry and pit fruit flavors that show red-wine-like weight and texture. In a fleshy, broad, creamy style that reminds me of a Poulsard from the Jura. Closes on a candied lavender note, with blood orange and fennel notes lingering. Intriguing stuff, somewhere between pink, orange and red in character, and probably not for everyone.
Domaine du Pégau Plan Pégau Lot 11-12-13 90 (a blend of vintages 2011, 2012, 2013; raised in used barriques): Ruby-red. Aromas of musky red fruit, candied flowers, cured meat and garrigue take on a smoky mineral element in the glass. Sweet and penetrating, offering juicy raspberry and cherry flavors and a zesty jolt of white pepper. Shows very good intensity and fruity punch on the finish, which is shaped by silky, even tannins.
Château Pégau 2015 Cuvée Lone Blanc 90 Green-tinged straw. Fresh melon, pear and jasmine on the deeply scented nose. Fleshy and broad but lively as well, offering juicy honeydew and orchard fruit flavors given spine by a zesty mineral quality. Shows very good intensity and power on the finish, which hangs on with tenacity and suave florality. 2015
Château Pégau 2014 Cuvée Lone Blanc 89 Light yellow. Ripe pear, melon and tarragon on the pungent nose. Fleshy and broad on the palate, offering bitter pear skin and lemon curd flavors and a touch of chamomile. Finishes chewy and firm, showing lingering pear and anise notes and a late jolt of ginger. Pretty grown-up for the category, and I wouldn t be surprised to see this wine aging nicely over the next few years.
Selection Laurence Féraud 2013 Côtes du Rhône 88 Full ruby. Aromas of pungent dark berries, cherry pit and peppery spices, backed by a hint of licorice. Smoky cassis and bitter cherry flavors are given spine and focus by juicy acidity, which adds back-end cut. Dusty tannins shape the dark-fruitdriven finish, which lingers with good, smoky tenacity.