Miss The Chimeres? Here's 3 More Can't-Miss Picks From the Rhone!

To all Wine Exchangers,

Miss the Saint Roch Chimeres? That’s OK, we have your back.

As we referred to in this morning’s missive, an amazing run of vintages in the southern Rhone has come to an end.  Starting with the epic vintage of 1998, the region has posted nearly non-stop successes with superb high points and only two ‘weak sauce’ vintages (2002, 2008).  The good times have definitely ‘rolled’ and we can understand why Rhones have gotten a little complacent.  The way it has been, good vintages in the Rhone have been like the bus…if you miss one, another will be along shortly.

A big part of our job is to provide information and, in doing so, put things in perspective.  Sure we’re trying to sell stuff.  Everybody is.  The difference is we make plans based on the data we give you, and keep a keen eye on the road ahead.  For the southern Rhone, the forecast is for a drought.  The next couple of vintages (2013, 2014) are not looking all that exciting. 

With that in mind, we have been kind of stockpiling fun stuff in this all-important category over the past few months.  We’re advising you to do the same while there is still some pretty cool gear on hand. As John Snow in Game of Thrones would warn, “Winter is coming.”  Best to make sure the pantry is in good order.

We’ll start with one of the most consistent performers in the Ventoux, Domaine Fondreche.  The Domaine Fondreche Cotes du Ventoux Cuvee Nadal 2011 is a blend of 45% Syrah, 45% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre, The Syrah and Mourvedre were aged in barrel, the Grenache in concrete tank.  Black fruits, anise, minerality, and cocoa deliver a pretty serious mouthful that can certainly compete in a higher weight class.  Wine Advocate’s Jeb Dunnuck scored it a 93 and proclaimed it, “…a knockout effort that will deliver the goods for over a decade”. Priced below $20, we are surprised this is even still here.

The Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Les Champauvins 2012 is the latest in what has been a go to series for us for years.  Chateauneuf guy Alain Jaume consistently delivers remarkable value with this blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre from a vineyard just across the imaginary border with Chateauneuf, and the fat, sassy 2012 is no exception.  Robert Parker calls it, “Always one of the vintage's finest Côtes du Rhônes…” and corroborates our warning by noting, “The 2012, from a far superior vintage than 2013, boasts a dark ruby/plum color as well as a sweet perfume of kirsch, lavender, new saddle leather, pepper, blackcurrants and licorice. 90 points” 

Or how about the Domaine Roche La Bousquette Cairanne 2011 and its 140 year-old vines?  The description alone in Wine Advocate (not to mention the 91-94 score) is a grabber. “Coming from tiny yields and a blend of 85% old vine Grenache (planted in 1870) and 15% old vine Carignan (with the final blend taking two years to ferment dry!), it offers a thrilling bouquet of black raspberry, spice-box, cured meats and licorice to go with a full-bodied, deep and voluptuously layered profile on the palate. Tasting more like a top quality Chateauneuf du Pape, this … will be hard to resist in its youth (and I would not), yet evolve gracefully for 10-15 years.” Sounds like a Reserve Chateauneuf, but sure doesn’t cost like one. 

Like the song says, “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone”.  We’re just trying to give you a heads up before we get to that point.

Kyle Meyer and Tristen Beamon, Proprietors, Wine Exchange