(R) E.Guigal: Côtes Du Rhône Rouge 2009, from Ampuis, Northern Rhone, France

Smell
Early: Sweet dark plums and a spicy earthiness
Later: Sweeter plums and cherries with traces of spice

Taste
A soft and spicy mouthfeel with subtle lingering tannins. The spices are mixed with sour cherries, bramble fruit and a touch of undergrowth. This is a great long-finishing wine that's powerful without being overpowering & would go equally well with food (think cheese or lamb), or by itself.

Tale
Etienne Guigal founded his estate in 1946, which has been growing and began absorbing other estates and wineries in the 1980s. One of the earlier and more prestigious acquisitions was Château d'Ampuis in 1995, which was built on the banks of the Rhône river in the 12th century and redeveloped as a "Renaissance Château" in the 16th century. The Guigal estate is now in the hands of their 3rd generation winemaker Philippe Guigal and both the operations and cellaring are based at Château d'Ampuis in the historic town of Ampuis, just south of Vienne. It's worth noting this is Guigal's budget offering ($22 @VC), compared to some of their Syrah-dominated single vineyard wines that are sold for $800/bottle at DM!

Composition
52% Grenache
45% Syrah (Shiraz)
3% Mourvèdre

Price: $20
Quality: ☆☆☆☆☆
Value:   ☆☆☆☆

http://www.guigal.com/en/vins.php?id_millesime=10&id_produit=23
http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_143868

(W) Paul Mas Estate: "Nicole Vineyard" Chardonnay 2012, from Hérault Valley, Languedoc, France

Smell
Before & After: Sweet grasses with a bit of minerality.

Taste
The golden straw colour of such a young wine serves as a warning of oak, which is quite welcome on a winter night. This is certainly not pretending to be a crisp and clean Chablis style Chardy and feels ~2 years too young to have developed the rich buttery mouthfeel that brought oaky Chards renown in the 80s.
Secondary to the abundant oak and subsequent vanillin are tart citrus flavours of caramalised cumquats and surprisingly some of the tropical & white-fleshed orchard fruit flavours that are expected of a Gewürztraminer.
As the wine breathes, the oak avalanche retreats nicely to sit as one of several layers in this most intriguing wine. Worth buying for the experience.

Tale
The Mas Family has been growing grapes in the Languedoc region since 1892. In 2000, Jean Claude Mas inherited 35ha of vines and founded Domaines Paul Mas in honour of his father. Of JC's brands, most Aussies will know the irreverent Arrogant Frog line of wines. Château Paul Mas now spreads over two estates, from the historical castle in Conas, near Pézenas to the Nicole vineyard near Montagnac. As owner and chief winemaker, JC lives and makes wine according to the philosophy of Rural Luxury, aiming to combine innovation and tradition to craft great, authentic and affordable wines.

Price: $14
Quality: ☆☆☆☆
Value:   ☆☆☆☆

http://www.paulmas.com/paulmas/en/wine.php?idvin=35
http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_911468/paul-mas-estate-chardonnay

(R) Chateau Bellevue: Bordeaux 2011, from Cadarsac, Bordeaux, France

Smell
Early: Strong vanillin notes with some soft dates

Later: Overripe plums

Taste
Dark plums and spices with some earthiness. The wine's a little thin and slowly becomes a tad sour as the spiciness disappears.

Tale
Based south of Libourne, on the other side of the river La Dordogne, the winery is now in its sixth generation of family-ownership. This particular wine appears to be named after Chateau de Bellevue, the 1750 Bordeaux residence of Madame de Pompadour, the official chief mistress of King Louis XV.

Price: $10
Quality: ☆☆
Value:  ☆☆

http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_904483