Rogue Rhônes, Saturday, March 9th, 2pm

Sometimes when you look at the spaces between things you find the hidden gems. That’s what we’re doing this Saturday with some exceptional wines from the Rhône that lie north of Chatêau Neuf du Pape and south of Cornas. This in between region produces some distinct and intriguing wines that are worth discovering. William Woodruff of Chloe Imports will be on hand to tell us all about them.
 
2011 Domaine de Couron, Viognier $12
In Saint Marcel d’Ardeche, 45 miles northwest of Avignon, the Dorthe family farms their domain that was are among the first to be officially classified in appellation Cotes of Rhône in 1937. Their Viognier comes from 27 year old organically vines and has honeyed apricot and pear aromas that are sweetly floral with subtle hints of cinnamon, good structure and balanced acidity.
 
2010 Domaine de Rozet,Côtes du Tricastin $9
Grenache (60%), Syrah (35%), Cinsault( 5%)
Originally tenant farmers, the Bernard family inherited this property in Donzere after the French Revolution. Today Dominique Bernard crafts this beautiful herb scented wine. “Bright violet and anise aromas are followed by a beam of sweet black cherry fruit, with a clean, fresh finish.”–WS
 
2011 Domaine de Couron, Marselan $10
Marselan is a hybrid of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. Couron’s grows on a terraced vineyards of large granite stones covering limestone. They only make 700 cases each year. “Dark and toasty, but open knit, featuring soft textured plum and blackberry fruit backed by a hint of roasted vanilla“WS
 
2009 Domaine de Couron Côtes du Rhône ‘Cuvee Marie Dubois’ $16
100% Syrah planted in 1946.
The flagship wine of Couron is made from an old vine parcel that only produces 225 cases each year. The wine is aged for 2 years before release. A few miles north and you would pay 2 to 3 times the price for this wine.” Quite toasty, with bacon and coffee notes holding sway over a core of medium-weight crushed black cherry and plum fruit. A toasty edge assumes control of the finish”
 
2009 Domaine du Grangeon, Chatus $24
Christophe Reynourd started this small domaine on the steep terraces of his grandparents farm where he grows Chatus (pronounced cha~two) an ancient 16th Century grape variety cultivated only by three estates in the Ardèche. The grapes are cultivated by hand with no herbicides or chemicals used. The wine ages for 2 year, unfined and unfiltered, before bottling. It has a bouquet of violets, purple flowers, and tanned leather. It is both supple and tannic with spices and warn leather and dark coffee.


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