I never turn down a Grands Bois Rasteau allocation, and their Cuvee Marc is the top wine produced at this prestigious estate. Named after owner and vigneron Marc Besnardeau, it was Jeb Dunnuck who called it "another brilliant 2019 Southern Rhone."
He also scored it at 94 points -- after tasting it last week, I not only agreed with his assessment, I also bought my distributor's remaining inventory. Those who know Grand Bois' Cuvee Mark know that it is every bit as good as top-flight Gigondas or Chateauneuf du Pape. It just costs half the price!
If you love world-class Southern Rhones, this will totally rock your world.
2019 Domaine Les Grands Bois Rasteau ‘Cuvée Marc’
94 points Jeb Dunnuck, 94+ points Yours Truly
The only reason I rated this 94+ points is because I think it's got some serious room for growth and improvement. Why? Because Lynn and I recently had a 2015 of this one from my cellar just last week, and it was phenomenal. Very Chateauneuf-y to our palates, the '15 was clicking on all cylinders!
The 2019 Cuvee Marc is a similar wine, as it's already drinking great, but it's got the "stuff" that will allow it to age and get better over the next decade or so. A blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 25% Mourvedre, the wine completed fermentation with native yeasts before being aged in demi-muids (large oak vessels) for a year. It was then bottled with minimal fining or filtration, so be careful as you get to the end of the bottle -- it might throw some sediment....
The finished wine is dark, nearly opaque, and it comes roaring out of the glass with soaring notes of cassis, warm blueberry, Provencal herbs, peppery spice, and violet. Despite its heft and weight, it's absolutely seamless, with ultra-fine tannins, wonderful balance, and a lengthy finish. Drinking this wine will transport you to the sunny Southern Rhone with its wonderful notes of sun-kissed fruit, garrigue, and round and opulent texture.
Like I said, this is like drinking really good Chateauneuf for less than $40. Need a second opinion? Here's what Jeb Dunnuck, whose Rhone coverage is second-to-none, had to say. "Clearly the richest and most concentrated in the lineup, the 2019 Rasteau Cuvée Marc reveals a deep ruby/plum color to go with classic notes of ripe black cherries, melted licorice, roasted garrigue, and flowers. Ripe, medium to full-bodied, and beautifully textured, with ripe tannins, it's another brilliant 2019 from the Southern Rhône that will continue to drink nicely for another 8-10 years."
You will not find this at another WNC wine shop, and you’ll struggle to find it anywhere in NC. If you love full, robust, and lusty Southern Rhone reds, you owe it to yourself to get some of this.
Enjoy some now with grilled or braised lamb, or put some away to enjoy intermittently over the next 7 to 10 years.
