Domaine les Grands Bois - Cuvee Philippine 2020
Price: $22.99
Sale Price: $17.99
6+ Price: $16.99 / btl
| Producer | Domaine les Grands Bois |
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| Country | France |
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| Region | Rhone Valley |
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| Varietal | Grenache Blend |
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| Vintage | 2020 |
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| Sku | 09777 |
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| Size | 750ml |
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This cuvee comes from the Villages of Saint-Cecile. The newly-designated sub-region abuts Cairanne to the east and Plan de Dieu to the south. As with other, lesser-known regions in the Cotes du Rhone, Saint-Cecile offers incredible value – if you know where to look. Well, of course we do… but more importantly, owner Marc Besnardeau knows where to look!
For nearly 30 years, Besnardeau has been one of the top producers in the Southern Rhone, fashioning wines from the distinct terroirs of Cairanne, Rasteau and Saint-Cecile long before they were recognized as legally distinct appellations. For years, all of the grapes from this vineyard went into his Cuvee Gabrielle. Now he splits the production between Gabrielle and Philippine. Both are roughly 55% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 10% Carignan. The difference? While Gabrielle is aged in oak barrels, the Philippine is scandalously naked!
Picked at yields similar to Châteauneuf-du-Pape (35 hectoliters per hectare), this baby is packed with intensity and complexity. Aromas of thyme and lavender mix with succulent notes of black cherry and raspberries which cascade across your tongue. A twist of pepper and a hint of anise add to the long, silky finish.
Jeb Dunnuck: 91 Points
“A blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, the 2020 Côtes du Rhône Villages Sainte Cecile Philippe exhibits a deep purple hue as well as medium to full-bodied aromas and flavors of ripe black cherries, spring flowers, and ground pepper, with a touch of background Syrah meatiness. Nicely textured, balanced, with ripe tannins, and outstanding length, it's a terrific wine from this producer that can be drunk any time over the coming 5-7 years.” JD
View from the Cellar: 90 Points
“The cuvée Philippine from Marc Besnardeau is crafted solely from grenache and syrah, with the oldest vines again sixty years of age, with these vines all planted within the domaine’s home village of Sainte Cécile. The 2020 is again nicely ripe at 14.5 percent alcohol, but offers up a nicely precise bouquet of cassis, black raspberries, grilled venison, stony soil tones, woodsmoke, pepper and garrigue. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, focused and complex, with a fine core of black fruit, good mineral drive and grip, ripe, firm tannins and a long, fairly well-balanced finish “ VFC
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