La Tarasque is the legendary dragon of Provence that was tamed by St. Martha. Aaron Pott, lauded consultant to Fisher, Krupp, and Blackbird, amongst many, has taken the La Tarasque name for his project in the Rhône Valley. He sources old-vine Grenache and Syrah from growers that he met while with Beringer-Blass. This is a departure for Mr. Pott, whose base is Napa Valley. The style is one of ripe, jammy, confit fruit, the redundancies being necessary to express the overall level of concentration. The flavors go towards raisin, stewed plum, and cranberry sauce. Plentiful spice notes add some complexity. The palate is soft and supple with fruit dominating structure. This is a style of wine for those who value intense fruit flavors. The price is well below the three-figure cost of many of Mr. Pott’s Napa Valley wines, so this represents a value for fans.
La Tarasque, Côtes du Rhône (France) 2010
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