
Counoise is a red wine grape hailing from France’s Rhone Valley. Counoise is one of the grapes allowed for use in Chateauneuf du Pape. Counoise is black skinned and will display notes of pepper and moderate acidity, but will also add plum, strawberry, raspberry, anise, and licorice flavors. Chateau de Beaucastel is one of the producers that prefer the Counoise grape and incorporate about 5% in their blends. Besides Southern Rhone, Counoise is also grown in Provence, Languedoc, and recently released in California. Syrah makes for an ideal blending grape for Counoise, in addition to Grenache and Mouvedre. Counoise will allow younger wines to display more powerful aromas and a stronger palate. Counoise is primarily utilized in blends due to the lack of color, tannin, and alchohol when by itself. In Provence, Counoise is used in making Rose wine with good acidity that is dynamic and refreshing. California is trending towards the production of Counoise single varietal wines.
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While the wine has sufficient tannins and structure for long-term bottle aging, Caymus Cabernet is dark and concentrated, with ripe, luxurious, fruit-driven softness that shows from the day of release.
Ruffino Alauda Toscana IGT is made from 40% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, 25% Colorino.
An elegant, full-bodied wine, Alauda is a harmonious sum of its parts. Rich with varietal flavors of plum and cherry from the Merlot and layered with ripe berry flavors from the Cabernet Franc, and unique balsamic and dark chocolate notes from the Colorino. The extended oak aging process integrates the blend while providing tertiary flavors of sweet spice and soft, elegant tannins for a lingering finish. This wine will age gracefully for decades.
Review:
“Lush and polished, boasting plum, blackberry, chocolate and oak spice flavors. Solidly built, with excellent harmony, a smooth texture and long, toasty finish.”
Wine Spectator 92 points