Ra Rhô Raggy

(Author's note: The title is intended to be read as, "Uh oh Shaggy," while doing your best talking cartoon dog impression; thus emphasizing my surprise! that today! is WBW#19: 'When in Rhône')

Like Bill, this month's WineBloggingWednesday snuck up on me and caught me unawares.  I suppose I could have substituted a recent review of a lovely Lirac, bold & beautiful Spanish Grenache-Syrah blend or NSA-friendly old vines Grenache.  However unlike Bill, (How can the Caveman not have any Rhône?  Next you're going to tell me that there is no Santa Claus, the Sox-es [both Bo- and Chi-] won World Series titles and Nobody could have anticipated a breach of the levees), I happened to have two bottles of Rhône-y goodness: a Côtes du Rhône Villages and White Châteauneuf du Pape.  Seeing as how it is Wednesday, and I have no energy to cook something sufficiently complimentary to the 'du Pape, I'm popping open Mssr. Paul Jaboulet Aîné's Villages wine & pairing it with my favorite chicken pesto pizza.

The Skinny
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Côtes du Rhône Villages 2003 ($13)

• Medium indigo-ruby in color with a distinct coppery rim
• This CdR was initially a wee bit timid.  After a few gulps of air, the wine revealed scents of black plum, earth, dried cherry & strawberry and a lovely touch of brett-funk
• In the mouth, Jaboulet strikes with crispness, gives way to dusty-earthy-dried fruit flavors, lightly grips the tongue with leathery tannins and finishes with subtle cherry liqueur heat.  After 30+ minutes of open air, the wine reveals black pepper notes and blackberry flavors that dial down the heat on the finish

This wine is a bit more complex and compelling than basic Côtes du Rhône.  While it is slightly full-bodied, the wine is still very much food friendly.  Pair it with grilled or pan-fried meats, warm goat cheese or sauteed butternut squash spiced with cayenne.

Bonus Rhône Fun Fact:  Did you know?
The smallest appellation (wine producing area) in France's Rhone Valley is Château Grillet, an inholding of 9 acres within the larger Condrieu appellation.  Both of these appellations produce dry white wine made from the exotically delicious Viognier grape.  Chateau Grillet's wine is rare and pricey; and comes in a distinctive brown bottle.

Tags: french wine, red wine, wine