1 | Wine | Red Rhone Blend, United States, 2009

"The appropriately named Collide explodes onto the palate with masses of dark fruit, leather, licorice, tar and violets. It boasts fabulous balance to match its decidedly extroverted personality."

"The 2009 Esprit de Beaucastel, tasted from foudre, is very, very young. The wine literally explodes on the palate with a rush of dark fruit enshrouded within a wall of muscular tannin. The 2009 is a dark inward Esprit that will require patience, but when the wine opens up it will be a jewel. Actually, it already is. In 2009 the blend is 40% Mourvedre, 28% Syrah, 27% Grenache and 5% Counoise. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024."