This is one of those wines that makes me think, “damn, glad I bought a case”! It was probably something like $15 a bottle but it’s drinking spot on wonderful now. The primary fruit has faded to reveal a very pleasant mid-week aged Grenache. The nose and palate is simply one of harmony and pleasure without being overly ponderous or intellectual, but perfect for a Tuesday evening with grilled cheese in homemade New Zealand almond fig sourdough.
I love Grenache based wines and from what I understand, Rasteau has applied or been awarded it’s own appellation.
Yes, it has been awarded its own appellation along with Cairanne next door. Both have some pretty exquisite sites and possibility. Gigondas is kind of a different beast- generally less exposed and cooler-- but Rasteau and Cairanne have pretty incredible potential.
Rasteau is not the next Gigondas. Vacqueyras is the next Gigondas. Rasteau is the next Vacqueyras, and Lirac might be the next Rasteau. Ventoux won’t amount to much until they subdivide it into much smaller regions.
My suggestion is to buy a lot of those $15 bottles that are drinking well right now, hold on to them, and in 20 years tell people they need aging but you have some with perfect provenance.
Of course, if we’re all globally warmed, Rasteau might be the next Montilla!
Rasteau is a cru appelation. Cairanne has applied and will certainly get it, but doesn’t have it yet. To my mind, both of these are their own wines, not like Gigondas or Vacqueyras, which both lean to the darker fruit side of the Southern Rhone. Still, there’s no doubt great wine at great values to be found in both places.
The real undiscovered find, these days, though, is Plan de Dieu. Not many get to the US, but if you can get your hands on for instance an Espigouette, you’'ll see that these wines are still underpriced.
I used to buy Gourt des Mautens often. The wines however were really “particular” and would fall apart at times. When young, these wines were extraordinary. Then the price went way up!
I’ve liked various vintages and bottlings of Domaine des Coteaux des Travers Rasteau, particularly the Cuvee Prestige, which I find to be very much like a good CdP and better than an average one.
Charles
As you may know, Gourt de Mautens recently dropped from the Rasteau appellation – the regulators changed the required blend and Jerome wasn’t willing to modify his wines to comply. Given that he’s a traditionalist with very old vines in a field blend, one can understand. So now the bottle says Vaucluse, and only on the back label.
Disclosure: VinConnect manages Mailing List offers for Gourt de Mautens in the U.S.
Oratoire Saint Martin in Cairanne. I especially like their white wine and the Mourvèdre dominated cuvée, the Haut Coustias.
In Rasteau, I vote for Trapadis. The make the one Syrah in the south worth seeking out, “Harys.” They have a late harvest Grenache that is spectacular, if spendy – it’s not a blocked fermentation like the typical Vin Doux de Rasteau (they make a nice, vinous version of that as well). And their flagship Grenache, les Adrès is among the best reds in the southern Rhône. I just served the 2006 Cuvée des Adrès right after the 2008 Charvin Châteauneuf – it was a beautiful progression.
I like them, but more in the middle of the range than the top, which sees barrique. But I stopped going a couple of vintages ago. Their Vin Doux is really doux, for those who like it sweet, and they make a white version, which I don’t think I’ve seen elsewhere.
I’m not Cliff but I have probably bought 50 cases of la Soumade over the years. And every bottle has been worth the price. My 2000 Fleur is just outstanding right now. Better than some 2000 CDP’s.
And, Andre Romero is one of the all-time characters … If you speak French.
If you can find it … Buy! Or stop by if you are in Provence.
I’ll second Cliff on Trapadis, which I just got back from. Their Rasteaus, from the tradition through the Adres to the Harys are all great. They also make a very good Cairanne. If one can find it, I also like Elodie Balme. On Soumade, I like the Confiance. I find the Fleur too oaky for me (although, according to their site, it is in fact only aged in demi-muid, so I can’t explain it). If you have a high tolerance for oak, I’m sure you’ll agree with Steve more than me.
In Cairanne, Haute Cance, Delubac and Rabasse Charavin are our go to wines. I also like Alary.
I misspoke above, by the way. Rasteau is a cru, but only for the vin doux. The reds are still CdR villages, lieu dits, like Cairanne.
