For once the back label describes it perfectly, “˜the wild aroma of Syrah, the silky texture of Grenache, and the fresh tang of Carignan’. Many south of France reds have this grape mix, but Chapoutier delivers them with purity and an exciting vitality. Think New World yummy flavours with Old World dry edge. And a little earthiness. Think medium-bodied red wine that would be fun with almost any food or situation. I did say it was “˜perfect’.
P.S. Also recommended is Chapoutier’s “˜Marius’. Delicious ripe fruitiness/herbaceousness, along with a “˜lets have fun’ vitality. A shade simpler than the above, but you gotta love the label depicting Michel’s great grandfather. “I brought my grandfather’s wine” would be a good line when taking to dinner parties.
M. CHAPOUTIER 14 Cotes du Roussillon Villages, Domaine de Bila-Haut, France 168716 Vintages $15.95
M. CHAPOUTIER 15 “˜Marius’, VDP d’Oc, France 470096 $12.95
