Rhône Valley, France (photograph by PHB.cz, Fotolia.com)
Related – VINTAGES October 27th Release
Golden October is upon us today like an Indian Summer, but I sense a mistral ready to blow through these parts. That can only mean one thing. This is a week to drink Rhône varietals. A tiger in autumn giving way to masterly winds calls for master grapes made by Rhône rangers around the globe. Here are four wines to look for on the October 27th VINTAGES release.
The Grapes: Syrah, Grenache and Carignan
The history: Minervois is a (primarily) red wine-producing appellation in the Languedoc-Roussillon/Midi region of France
The lowdown: From a négociant house in the South of France with a goal to discover the extraordinary quality and wealth of the region
The food match: Minervois Braised Beef Shanks, fresh tagliatelle, truffle oil
Hecht & Bannier Minervois 2010 (17764, $20.95) is yet another stellar selection from the appellation. Minervois produces piceous and proud Syrah-dominated juice marked by anesthetizing acidity. Van Gogh colour, black, blue and shimmering like a starry night. Mint and tarragon accent fruit surely helpful as an anti-oxidant and delectable to the artibeus obscurus. 88
The Grape: Shiraz
The history: What once was simply Rhône is now distinctly Australian
The lowdown: Old and bold Barossa vines make the brashest Syrah on the planet, especially these gnarly old ones
The food match: Beef Knuckle Croquettes, fig jam
Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz 2009 (0167189, $20.95) is streaked with deep pastels of tropical fruit. At once Aussie licorice, then Sicilian blood orange and finally holy land pomegranate, date and fig. A troubadour, Coeur de Lion traveling the globe in search of adventure. Perhaps wicked for a Shiraz, this Dandelion is deeply rooted. 88
The Grape: Viognier
The history: Signature varietal from Condrieu in the Northern Rhône
The lowdown: Remarkable effort from 1960’s TV Western actor turned Santa Barbara winemaker
The food match: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, caramelized apple, raita foam
Fess Parker Viognier 2010 (297523, $24.95) of bountiful bouquet is both aphrodisiac and sedative. Built like they used to, of antique wood, nuts and bolts, to last and linger when the “appliances have gone berserk.” Head of its California class so pour a glass, turn up the radio and smell the Last Flowers. 90
The Splurge
The Grape: Syrah
The history: Pitchy varietal from the Northern Rhône, the region that expresses it most sincerely
The lowdown: Delas has discovered the secret Syrah formula to combine exceptional quality with tremendous value
The food match: Seared Lamb Saddle, fingerling potatoes, mint chutney
Delas Frères Francois De Tournon Saint-Joseph 2009 (17525, $33.00) is both militaristic and the stuff of gushing Renaissance literature. Serious Syrah and foxy, Faerie Queene. Cardinal colour, striking and dreamy. Augustinian diplomat meets allegorical fantasy. Crushed berries, truffles caked by earth, sol de la foret. Built of elegance and power, “such endlesse richesse, and so sumptuous shew.” 92
Good to go!
Godello 