Every time I drink a humble Côtes du Rhône red, I chide myself for not doing it more often — especially when it's a classic example like this. I first tasted this charming red in the UK (via The Wine Society) so when I saw it on private store shelves in BC, I picked up a few bottles and went home to grill a chicken. If you're wondering why there's a wee beetle on the label, "escaravailles" is the Occitan name for scarab beetles. The word was also used for the black-robed monks who occupied the area’s Catholic monasteries centuries ago. The domaine has been in the Férran family since the 1950s, and today amounts to 65 hectares of vineyards, 40 of which are in the rocky, clay-limestone hillsides of Rasteau. This Grenache/Syrah blend comes entirely from Rasteau, and from vines between 30-50 years old. This spent time in stainless and oak barrels. Ample peppery raspberry, wild strawberry, perfumed anise and sweet salami are seasoned with herbal resinous scrub, so typical of the southern Rhone. Tannins are peppery grippy and acidity is lifted to a gentle, lingering finish. This is the typical bistro, roast chicken wine and one that you should stock up on (as I did). Classic.
Bright ruby with a purplish rim. Morello cherry, raspberry, fruit stones and cranberry make the fruity inspired nose very attractive. The medium-bodied mid-palate has significant volume and a velvety texture that wraps the gently firm tannic core with crunchy fruit flavours. Drinking well now, it will hold 3 to 4 years.
This is a small property located near the St-Émilion border. This blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec serves up plum, chocolate, cherry, spice and herbs, or in other words, a textbook example. Alcohol is on the high end, so chill slightly.
Juicy, quenching red currant, wild raspberry and dried strawberry bristles with acidity and potent, finely textured minerality in this old vine Brouilly, with vine age averaging 60 years. Tannins are taut and grippy/gritty through to the lingering cherry and dried floral finish. The frame is narrow but intense, stuffing all of hot 2015's 14.5% alcohol into a sleek frame. This is from mid-slope, broken granite and skinny, sandy soils, farmed sustainably and partially fermented in old oak for up to ten months. #GoGamayGo.
If there’s anyone who still needs a reason to drink more good Beaujolais, a taste of this should do the trick. Loads of juicy black cherry, liquorice, earth, tea and pepper with firm, savoury tannins and a fresh, mineral-driven, lifted finish. Will age well for 5 to 8 years.
From 400 m and 35 years vine age, in the hills of Corbières, this Grenache, Syrah, Carignan employs partial carbonic maceration and aging for up to 1 year in oak barrels, before light fining and no filtration. Grenache rules (nearly half) with perfumed raspberry, strawberry, dark cherry, violets and a lurking scrubby herbaceousness on a soft, bright palate with tannins finely grippy. A fine peppery spicing and bitter blackcurrant lingers on the finish. Expect a balance and elegance you might not normally find in the south. An ideal bistro wine, well-priced, and one I'd gladly order with steak frites.
This wine just serves to prove how great the 2015 vintage was in the Rhone Valley, as well as the rest of France! Made from 85% Grenache, this full-bodied red explodes with sweet cherries, plum jam, raspberry, Provencal herbs and anise. There is a sweet texture and a finale which carries long. Easily bests many CNPs that are double the price!