I have been offering some awesome deals on a number of Southern Rhone reds this year, and I've got a new and exciting one to share with you. The 2018 Rouge Bleu Saint-Cecile 'Mistral' comes from vineyards just north of Chateauneuf du Pape, and this classic GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre) is a highly attractive red at a wonderful price.
Saint-Cecile is the newest-named AOC of the Southern Rhone, gaining that status in 2016. Prior to that, it was simply included in the Cotes du Rhone Village designation. This is the first wine I've ever tasted from the appellation, but I can guarantee you it won't be the last. Hearty, robust, spicy, and ripe, this offers up Chateauneuf- and Gigondas-like nuances at a fraction of the price.
2018 Domaine Rouge Bleu Saint-Cecile 'Mistral'
Ripe, robust, spicy, and rich Cotes du Rhone from vineyards just north of Chateauneuf! - 93 points - Yours Truly
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What a big old glass of joy Rouge Bleu's Mistral offers the drinker. This fairly new estate is run by a passionate pair of young vignerons, their vines are old and grown in the classic rocky soils of the Southern Rhone, and they are guided by the principles of biodynamics in their vineyards and in the cellar. Healthy soils equals healthy vines equals delicious wines, and that is certainly the case here!
Trust me, this is no simple, bistro-styled, tank-fermented Cotes du Rhone. Grapes are hand-harvested, fermentations take place with wild yeasts, and matured in older French oak for 24 months, this wine is brought up with a lot of TLC, especially when you consider the price. Even better, with 5 years of bottle conditioning present here, this stuff is drinking with a polish and sophistication rarely encountered in Rhones at this price point.
This pours a lovely dark garnet color, and it immediately shows off captivating aromas of spiced plum, blueberry liqueur, kirsch, white pepper, chocolate, and coffee. Full-bodied and fine-grained on the palate, this drinks smooth and elegant with supple tannins and mellow acidity. Packed with pleasure and broad appeal, this is a wine that will seriously appeal to our strong legions of Southern Rhone fans.
If you feel like making a big pot of stew or chili for the Super Bowl this weekend, I promise you this would pair wonderfully, but food is definitely not required. With about 30 minutes of air, this wine blossoms into a "gentle giant," meaning it's full-bodied but not too tannic or astringent. That means it drinks great without food too. Totally your call there, but don't sleep on this one!
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Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville