Value of the Month
2020 Côtes du Rhône
by Tom Wolf
This emblematic southern Rhône red originates half an hour east of Avignon, just outside a town whose name begins with Châteauneuf and whose vineyards are littered with the Rhône’s most quintessential terroir feature: the rounded river stones called galets roulés. No, this is not the Châteauneuf—Châteauneuf-du-Pape—that brought the region fame through its history of papal schism and legendary wines, but Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne, a charming medieval village worthy of a stop the next time you find yourself near Avignon.
For this cuvée—our house blend—we use mostly Grenache, along with some Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, and a splash of Marselan planted in a galet-strewn terroir, which reflects the southern sun into the forty-year-old vines and yields an expressive rouge full of beautiful aromas and flavors of black cherries, stones, and a hint of black olive. Year in and year out, we are amazed to find this much southern French character and deliciousness for the price of a movie ticket.
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