Sunday, July 27, 2008

Cotes du Rhone Domaine du Grand Prieur, 2006

This wine is not as big nor as fruity as the Font-Sane Cotes du Ventoux, but it is no less impressive. The color is very deep with some blue tints in the crimson. The aromas are immediately engaging, even if a bit more restrained than the Font-Sane. Red and black berries, garrigue and flowers. It's been a few months [May 15, 2008] since I last tried this 2006, and it's improved considerably during that period. Has it caught up to the 2005? Probably not.

On the palate, I get black pepper, raspberry puree, licorice and dark-toned minerals. The fruit is ripe and accessible but structured to match up with serious meals, such as lamb stew. This Grand Prieur reminds me of a very good Vacqueyras, and that makes sense since the vines are all in Vacqueyras. (Bertin Gras chooses the lower appellation status in order to get slightly higher yields.) Long, peppery finish.

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