From: Southern Rhone, France
Varietal: 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 5% Cinsault
Taste & Critical Acclaim: 90 PTS. / JEB DUNNUCK (10/6/2020)
A solid step up over the 2018, the 2019 Côtes du Rhône offers more red and black fruits, loads of peppery garrigue, medium to full-bodied richness, and more depth and character than you’d get from just about any other Côtes du Rhône out there. Beautifully balanced, with ripe tannins and a great finish, it’s a no-brainer, character-filled Côtes du Rhône to enjoy over the coming 3–5 years. (Jeb Dunnuck)
Deep red color for this wine with delicate aromatic notes. Structured and supple tannins. Well balanced, it can be drunk young but has good aging potential. A classic example of a baby Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Pairing: This versatile wine pairs beautifully with a wide variety of cuisines, including savory and sweet dishes. Herb-crusted roast lamb is a natural pairing, as is BBQ and smoked brisket. For vegetarian options, wild mushroom stew and grilled eggplant with tahini sauce are a couple of fun pairs, as is grilled veggies with a za’atar and olive oil infusion. For classic and festive pairs, prime rib roast seasoned with garlic and rosemary served alongside roasted root vegetables with a maple glaze are both delicious and satisfying. Duck confit with a red wine reduction also highlights the wine’s blackberry and plum flavors, enhancing the dish's richness while adding depth to the pairing. You could even pair this with picnic fare that includes pork or duck Rillettes, jambon beurre baguettes, garden salads, and cheeses.
About the winery. Many thanks to Skurnik Wines & Spirits for the following information. Since 1860, the Boiron family has handed this domaine over from father to son. For five generations, the philosophy of the “Bosquet des Papes” estate is to produce laying down wines, meaning that they can be kept for many years, thereby respecting the traditions of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines. The domaine is now run by Nicolas Boiron and his wife Jeanne-Claire.
Most of the wooden vessels in the cellar are foudres, but they are using more and more demi-muids, possibly under the influence of Philippe Cambie.
The domain covers about 40 parcels, a total of 32 ha, of which 3.5 ha are Cotes du Rhone. The average age of the vines is about 50 years. A 3.5 ha plot with vines aging around 100 years is used for Cuvée Chante le Merle.
