Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Rabasse Charavin Cotes du Rhone Villages Cairanne, 2004

The bouquet of this wine is fully formed and delightful. Dark cherries, strawberry compote and nuances of black pepper and tobacco. Although Syrah is only 15% of the blend, the grape makes its presence felt with scents of juniper berries and herbs. Much of the same on the palate. This Cairanne has more tartness than most Southern Rhones, but that is a plus as far as I'm concerned. There is still plenty of Cairanne-style sweetness on the finish.

Corinne Couturier, who took over the estate from her father in 1985, fashions the wine from 70% Grenache (40- to 70-year-old vines), 15% Syrah (10 to 30 years), 10% Counoise (30 years) and 5% Cinsault (15 to 20 years). All of her wines are made traditionally--unfined, unfiltered and aged in concrete.

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