2009 Cotes du Rhone Bouquet des Garrigues

The three terrific Cotes du Rhones from Clos du Caillou include the 2009 Cotes du Rhone Bouquet des Garrigues, which is dark ruby/plum-colored, with glorious amounts of crunchy black cherry and raspberry fruit, some dusty, loamy soil notes, as well as a bit of pepper and spice. It is elegant, fresh, rich and concentrated. Drink it over the next 1-2 years. This modestly sized estate of just under 25 acres in the northeastern sector of Chateauneuf du Pape has been run by Sylvie Vacheron since her husband’s tragic death in 2002. Importers: North Berkeley Imports, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 848-8910; Dionysos Imports, Manassas, VA; tel. (703) 392-7073; Import Wines, Middleton, WI; tel. (608) 833-8622; and Domaine Select Wine Estates, New York, NY; tel. (212) 279-0799

Coming from the a plot that lies next to Beaucastel’s Coudoulet vineyard, on the northern edge of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC and in a cooler terroir, the 2009 Le Clos du Caillou Côtes du Rhône Le Bouquet des Garrigues is a beauty. A blend of 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and the rest a mix of Mourvèdre, Carignan, and Cinsault, the wine delivers a brilliantly perfumed, fragrant bouquet of black fruits, licorice, sweet spice, and crushed flowers. This is followed by a medium to full-bodied wine that has a ripe, fleshy, upfront feel, impressive balance, and a clean, long finish. It should drink beautifully for 5-8 years.

85% Grenache, 15% Syrah/Mourvèdre. Light crimson. Neat, well balanced, much more depth, richness, roundness and terroir than the average Côtes du Rhône. GV (JR)