Majestics have a buy 2 get 20% off deal on the Rhone at the moment, so I picked a couple up to try. CdR can be of mixed quality even within the quality tree of the Rhone. For those that don't know what I am talking about I will try to explain. The Rhone as an area is split into named ACs, the French's way of categorising wine, each AC has a bunch of rules to ensure some consistency. Which AC you fall into depends on where your vineyard is and how you process them. In ascending quality (usually) it goes like this:
Cotes Du Rhone
Cotes Du Rhone Villages
Cotes Du Rhone Villages (named village) eg. Cairanne
Named AC (or Cru) - e.g Gigondas, Cotes-Rotie
A good description and map can be found here
Today I have a modest Cotes Du Rhone, by the venerable maker (mostly from the Northern Rhone) E. Guigal.
Name Cotes Du Rhone
Vintage 2006
Country France
Region Rhone
Grape Rhone Blend
Maker E. Guigal
% Alc 14%
Price £6.79
Source Majestic
I enjoyed this thoroughly, there were lovely hedgerow fruit notes with boot polish and leather, probably showing because there a was a little bottle age to allow it to develop some complexity. There was lots to enjoy here, with some cedar / pencil case notes too.
I have had younger Guigal CdRs and they have been a little austere; this on the other hand has handsomely benefited from it's 4 year relaxation period, is rich and generous, and a serious wine at a low price. I will go and stash a case at this bargain price.
No comments:
Post a Comment