2007 Château de Montfaucon "Baron Louis" Côtes du Rhône (1.5L)

Just across the Rhône river from the esteemed vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, sits this 88-acre estate, owned and operated by Rodolphe de Pins, a UC Davis graduate and former member of the winemaking staff at Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe (in Châteauneuf). The cuvée Baron Louis is a special assemblage from select parcels with vines between 50-90 years of age. The 2007 is a blend of 40% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Cinsault and 10% each of Carignan, Mourvèdre and Counoise. Aging takes place over 12 months in small oak barrels. A step up in intensity and length from the regular Côtes du Rhône, the Baron Louis can be enjoyed now, however it will be superb with several years of additional cellar time. Try it with heartier fare like sirloin steaks dusted with fresh herbs. 14% abv. 89+ points Robert Parker: "A new discovery for me, the 2007 Cotes du Rhone... is a seriously built, concentrated, powerful effort displaying notes of garrigue, pepper, lavender, kirsch, and black currants. It also exhibits that wonderful seaweed wrapper (nori) scent that seems to be a characteristic of many southern Rhone wines. This full-bodied Cotes du Rhone will benefit from another 1-2 years of cellaring, and should drink well for 7-8 years." (10/09) 89 points Wine Spectator: "Ripe and still youthful, offering a solid core of blackberry and boysenberry fruit, liberally laced with dark licorice and sweet spice notes. The still-fleshy finish is solid, with a toast frame hanging on. Drink now." 14% abv.