I'd use the words quite admIrally brilliant.
For the money, this one is top drawer. Something that is worth buying by the case to have as the go to 3rd bottle of wine at a dinner.
Second bottle taste....no regrets on this tongue at tt...stock it... So good value
Blows my mind that this is just $13.
Good right out of the bottle with little breathing time. A very nice smoky fruity nose leads into a wonderfully balanced smoky fruity taste with herbal notes. It all ends in a smooth and long finish, that is, until you take another drink and the cycle begins again. Soft tannins, very drinkable.
Not very complex, but the experience is consistent and enjoyable all the same.
So darn good with barbeque. Tasted January 2012.
Wow, now I really understand what all the fuss is about. Very nice, smooth, full body wine based on Syrah and Mourvèdre. And what a bargain at that price. For those of you that are big fans of Australian Shiraz, this is a great intro to French-style Shiraz. Enjoy ! Tasted January 2012.
This just may be one of the best deals in the LCBO right now. Crafted in the south of France, just inland from the northwest coast of the Mediterranean Sea, this Syrah / Mourvèdre blend shows aromas of crushed sour cherries and subtle hints of cedar wood and dark earth. The palate is packed with juicy red fruit flavours of raspberry and cranberry while the finish is very smooth and quite dry; an elegant wine with a very humble price tag. Tasted Jan 2012.
Disclaimer - I work for Churchill Cellar's - the importing agent for Gourgazaud. I've tasted this wine for eleven vintages in a row and this this is as good as it has ever been. A new harvesting machine can take some of the credit - along with a stellar vintage. (hand-picking is difficult in Minervois due to lack of labour and a machine can harvest the fruit when it is great condition all at once). For the record - Gourgazaud does not put this wine into any oak barrels, which is reserved for The Reserve La Liviniere and Cuvee Mathilde. We've set up a Facebook Page for Gourgazuad - have a visit.
Outstanding value. Black current and vanilla bouquet. Very smooth, with a slightly spicy leather finish. Almost a 90.
Cassis, plums, blackberries, and meatiness on the nose. The tannins are soft, there is plenty of dark fruit on the palate, and the wine is medium-to-full bodied. The wine is very well balanced and excellent value.
Tasted May 2013
This gem from the south of France is certainly my one of my go-to table wines for everyday drinking. It is regularly available and a great value buy for sure.
Dark fruit mostly of blackberry and cassis with healthy amount of earth, spice and leather notes. Medium to full bodied wine. Drink now.
Tasted 2012.
There is no question that this is a great value. Lovely concentrated aromas of plum and cassis with a hint of vanilla. THe palate is very smooth with light fruit, low acid and very mellow tannins. A nice sipper but not a lot of mustard to hold up to food.
I was a bit disapointed in this wine based on high expectations. This style of wine, for me, needs 2 or more years in the cellar. A bit too tart in the finish, and a bit heavy on the oak. None of my guests felt they would buy this one! Tried this one on two seperate occasions with different people. Same result. The flavours you get from this one are extremely temperature dependant. Some, including petrol notes,were not desireable.
The '09 Gourgazaud, as with prior vintages, is an approachable red, with moderate depth, and concentration. To my taste, it is not a 90 point wine (or even high 80's). That said, it does show good regional character and is quite enjoyable. At $11.95 on "sale", or even at its $12.95 regular price, as always, this represents good value and I would not hesitate recommending this to anyone seeking a budget red from France. Tasted April 2012.
Seeing all the good reviews beforehand, I was disappointed with this wine when I tasted it. There were strong earthy scents with an earthy acidic taste. Maybe this was just a bad bottle.