Maison Nicolas Consensus Syrah 2001

[Thraz]

Nicolas is the largest specialty wine store chain in France, and they have been bottling their own lines of wines for a few years. One of these lines is called "Consensus", which I think is made exclusively for the US market. It has all the bearings of an American product: aged in oak, nice label with a little story on it. I believe I read somewhere that the Consensus line is made from grapes grown on a property that Nicolas actually owns in Languedoc (the only one they own I think). They bought it after Mondavi tried to buy it but failed due to local opposition. There is a syrah, a cabernet sauvignon, a chardonnay and a coteaux du languedoc that bear the Consensus name. I find the chardonnay overoaked and generally not to my taste at all (I tasted the 2001, $12). The cabernet is very good (also 2001, $15). The Coteaux du Languedoc is excellent (2000 was great, 2001 very good, both $15). However, the syrah is the best one of all of them in my opinion (tasted only the 2001, $15).

The 2001 Consensus syrah is long in the mouth, some oak but limited and not off-putting, and very pleasant smooth tannins on the long finish. I find it medium-to-full-bodied, but not as heavy as some other syrahs from the south of France. The best QPR I have in my cellar I think.

[This message has been edited by Thraz (edited 11-30-2004).]