Recommendation: Excellent Cotes du Rhone red and a fantastic value.
Winery/Producer: Anne-Marie and Jean-Marie Astart; Domaine des Hautes Cances; Cairanne, France.
Grape Variety: Red Rhone Blend.
Geographic Region, Appellation: Southern Rhone, France.
Vintage: 2011
Price: $13.50 (with a 10% mixed case discount)
Purchased From: The Caviste Wine Shop; Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Paired With: Tomato soup flavored with tarragon, Green salad with tomatoes and artisan oil and vinegar dressing
Tasting:
He said: Opened 30-minutes before drinking. Clear, deep ruby red color. Strong damp earth, wet wood and cherry aromas. Powerful plum, cherry and current taste that has a smooth, dry mouth-feel. It finishes very, very dry, long and with abundant fruit flavors and smooth tannins. Not a good pairing with the dinner, but great drinking alone and with Asiago cheese. At only $13.50 it’s a steal of a deal and gets a “rush to your wine store recommendation” from me!!! Excellent Cotes du Rhone red and a fantastic value.
She said: Dark garnet red color, opaque, with lots of thin legs cruising downward. A nice earthy aroma with hints of barnyard and wet leather started the wine off but diminished in the mouth. The medium body was complemented by dryness and soft tannins that ended in the long finish that was preceded by a hint of roughness. None of my dinner went with the wine but after dinner a serving of hard Asiago cheese turned the tasting around and the wine remained delicious from then on. A great bargain at $13.50.
Comments: Learn more about the Domaine Les Hautes Cances.
Alcohol: 14%
Bar code: 8 94510 00174 5
Imported by: Vintage ’59 Imports; Washington, D.C.