On his trip through France in 1787 Thomas Jefferson visited Vidal-Fleury, today considered one of the most consistent producers in the Rhone Valley.
This 2009 Cotes-du-Rhone was a great vintage year and a value at the same time. It's a traditional blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 5% Carignan fermented separately with indigenous yeasts. They do a long and slow maceration of about 30 days with 70% aged in tank and 30% in large oak foudres* followed by a light filtration before bottling unfined for 3-6 months.
It has deep ruby colors while the expressive nose shows a dark red fruit, some strawberry, chocolate, and especially prune.
On the palate black fruits, dark chocolate, cherry, pepper and dusty spice, but after a good time on the tongue you'll find hints of dried flowers, cedar, and tobacco with supple tannins a decent finish.
What a great price and value?!? I found it for about $12/bottle discounted for a half case at Wine Express online... and shipping was free.
Pairs well with meats, pizza, barbecue, pasta, burgers and cheese.
*Foudre: A large oak or chestnut cask used for aging wine (mostly in Provence and Alsace), with a capacity between 150 and 350 hectoliters (3,960 to 9,240 gallons).
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