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The Other Southern Rhone
 
While Burgundy and Bordeaux had their share of difficulty in 2006 & 2007, nature made sure we’d have something great to drink by putting together a string of terrific vintages for producers in the Southern Rhone from 2005-2007.   Popular Chateauneuf du Pape typically gets most of the attention but there’s so much more that the region has to offer….here are a few alternatives from other Southern Rhone appellations to discover and enjoy...
 
How Decanter Rates the Vintages...
 

2005: ***** A dream vintage with near perfect conditions

2006: ****   Finesse and elegance, but with nuance and subtlety

2007: ***** Classic vintage for Southern Rhône

 
 
2005 Domaine Gourt de Mautens Rasteau        $53

Situated north of the better known (and much larger) Gigondas, the striving town of Rasteau has only a Cotes-du-Rhone Village designation.   The 13 ha of vines which make up this domaine have been in the Bressy family for 4 generations. Certified organic and 2/3 of the parcels are between 45 and 90 years old. The yields are a naturally low 12-18 hl/ha and the vineyards are interplanted, as they were in ancient times, with Grenache (70%), Carignan (15%), Mourvedre (15%), Syrah, Counoise, Muscardin and Vaccarese.     WA92+ : « One of the sensational estates in Rasteau »   

 
 
 
Domaine St. Damien Gigondas
 
Granted it’s own AOC in 1971, Gigondas is regarded as the little brother of Chateauneuf du Pape.   Domaine St. Damien is a rising star, an estate to watch.   La Baumette is the "hot corner" of the Gigondas appellation – great exposure, galets roulees like Chateauneuf. Some of the oldest vines of the appellation are in this area, and Joel Saurel owns a nice chunk of them over 100 years old. Largely Grenache (over 90%), traditional vinification (no new oak here!) and bottling without fining or filtering, results in full-bodied, complex classic Gigondas.

 

 

2006 Domaine St. Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades  $27 WA93: “ A candidate for “wine of the vintage”

   
 
Domaine de Montvac
 

Granted AOC status in 1990, Vacqueyras sits south of Gigondas. Wines from this area have a higher Syrah content than Chateauneuf du Pape and Gigondas.   Passed from mother to daughter for three generations, Domaine de Montvac is situated on the slopes of the Rhone’s dramatic Dentelles de Montmirail with holdings in Cotes du Rhone, Vacqueyras & Gigondas.  

 

 

2007 Domaine de Montvac Vacqueyras   “Arabesque”    $21  WS91

 

 

Tasting Notes for Fine & Rare Wines

10/29/08:  1976 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé  Chambolle Musigny ($165) Learn More
 
11/05/08: 1984 Mouton-Rothschild ($165)  Learn More
 
2/11/09: 1994 Joseph Drouhin Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche ($175)   Learn More
 
6/02/09: 1985 Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon (NA)   Learn More
 
6/05/09: 2006 Domaine Arlaud Morey St. Denis "Les Cheseaux" ($45)   Learn More
 
9/1/09: 1997 Petrus (NA)  Learn More