Cairanne

Some of the best value red wines coming out of France come from the Southern Rhône.  The quality has improved enormously in the past 20 years, and these village wines offer the best value of all, in terms of quality/price. It is here that one finds wines on a par with the best from Châteauneuf-du-pape but at a fraction of the price.  Added to this 2007 and 2009 are two of the best vintages coming from this area in the past 15 years.  In the hierarchy of the Appellation Controlée system these wines come from 18 nominated villages that have been judged to be of superior quality to standard Côtes du Rhône wines, and the village is allowed to have its name on the label.

We have chosen two great wines for our mixed case - both of them award winners year after year.  Paul Boutinot, an old friend of the wine club since its inception, has bought a vineyard in Cairanne, one of the best Rhône villages, and his Les Côteaux, Côtes du Rhône Villages 2007 is stunning value for money.  Our other old friend, dating back almost as far, is Robert Charavin in the adjacent village of Rasteau, and his Rasteau Prestige 2009 is simply fabulous - we have only managed to receive a very limited allocation of this due to its very justifiable success.

A Mixed Case consists of six bottles of each wine – 

Boutinot Les Côteaux 2007                                                                                                                                                                       £7.50 AC Côtes du Rhône Villages                                                                                                                                                                                    

Paul has selected some of the best grapes from slopes around the villages of Seguret and Cairanne amongst others. 

With a long hot dry summer in 2007, the grapes reached levels of extraordinary ripeness and low yields were obtained.  The old vines have very long roots which were able to reach down to the water table, thus avoiding the burnt flavours that are apparent in some surrounding vineyards.

Made principally from Grenache and Syrah with some Mourvèdre, the grapes are picked at maximum ripeness and some of the wine is aged in large 600 litre barrels to add complexity without overt oakiness.

This is deep in colour with elegant berry-fruit aromas with a touch of cedar and undergrowth.  On the palate it is delightfully silky with delicious morello cherry fruit and hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. It finishes  with a touch of minerality, which represents the terroir of the vineyard slopes. There is some soft tannin and good length.  A great wine!

 

Domaine des Côteaux des Travers, Rasteau Cuvée Prestige 2009                                                                                                 £12.50 AC Côtes du Rhône Villages                                                                                                                                                                                  2009 was another great vintage with maximum ripeness achieved due to the heat wave in August, but some freshening rains in September helped enhance the balancing acidity.  The yields are down by 30% but the wines are very concentrated but remain well balanced with good acidity. 

Robert’s outstanding Prestige is made from 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre.  It is a deep purple wine with a lovely ripe succulent fruity nose, tinged with the subtle aromas of vanilla, herbs and violets.  On the palate, this is a big, powerful wine with great concentration but real elegance.  Damson and griotte cherry  flavours dominate, with notes of chocolate violets and finishing with a hint of liquorice.  Stunning! 

The best wine that we have bought from him.  Delicious now but will continue to age well over the next ten years.

 

Mixed Case Price : £120.00

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