2010 Cotes du Rhone

The 2010 Cotes du Rhone Le Poutet offers lots of framboise, strawberry and cherry notes intermixed with dusty, loamy, peppery, earthy characteristics in a medium-bodied, soft style. Enjoy it over the next 1-3 years. This small, 20-acre estate owned by the Charvin family is located in the northwest sector of the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation. It has long been one of my favorites for the elegance, purity and sensuality of the wines. The first estate bottling took place in 1990. Prior to that Laurent and his father, Gerard, tended to sell much of their production to negociants such as Marcel Guigal. Aside from their vin de pays and Cotes du Rhone, they produce one cuvee of Chateauneuf du Pape from 85% Grenache and the rest Syrah, Mourvedre and Vaccarese. No white Chateauneuf du Pape is produced. The Charvin Cotes du Rhone is one of the noteworthy value picks in just about every vintage. Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Uniontown, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800