2007 Château Signac Côtes du Rhône Villages Chusclan Cuvée Combe D'enfer

A blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and the rest Counoise, Cinsault, and Carignan, the 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Chusclan Combe d’Enfer is brilliant. The freshness and vibrancy so prevalent in this vintage are married to significant flavor concentration, round, velvety tannins, and super layers of black cherry and black currant fruit interwoven with lavender and subtle earthy notes. This is a full-bodied, powerful, already delicious 2007 that should age nicely for 2-4 years. An exceptional estate in the somewhat laid back, forgotten Cotes du Rhone village of Chusclan, Chateau Signac fashions three cuvees in most vintages, and occasionally a fourth offering called Le Secret. The most recent tasting note I have of Le Secret is the 2006, which I rated 88 points. It is a somewhat contrarian-styled wine compared to its siblings, with plenty of new oak in its flashy, modern-styled personality. The other cuvees are far more classically Provencal/southern Rhone in orientation. The 2008s are much lighter and less concentrated than the 2007s. Moreover, they require near-term consumption. Importer: Wine Markets International, Plainview, NY; tel. (516) 364-1850