Olivier et Lafond
Five-year-old négociant business, a partnership between two winemaking consultants. Medium-bodied, with fairly intense acidity, well tapered, with warming alcohol on the finish. Fine, soft tannins - a little loose in structure. Good intensity, but a little heavy - alcohol a little too high for comfort. Elegant, but not the most complex.
Domaine des Tours
Remarkably pale, not far off a rosé. Pure red cherry fragrance, English strawberry, sage. Light- to medium-bodied, good acidity, dry finish, very dry in fact, savoury and slightly herbal. Gentle sucrosité to the fruit, not terribly intense, quite short, but at least authentic and true to the region and producer. Basic stuff, but enough interest to make it worthwhile.
Tanners
Made by the Gonnet family of Font de Michelle in Châteauneuf. Appealing bright raspberry fruits, some herbal detail. Medium-bodied, juicy Grenache fruit with good acidity. Lively and well balanced Côtes-du-Rhône with good typicity. Gentle wet-clay tannins on the finish. Juicy and easy to drink.