Synopsis, Our Opinion: This Châteauneuf-du-Pape simply had impeccable quality and was an exceptional value for the price.
Producer/Winery: Xavier Vignon; Courthezon, France.
Grape Variety: Southern Rhone Red Blend.
Geographic Appellation: Curvee Anonyme; Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France.
Vintage: 2010
Price: $39.95
Purchased From: Woodland Hills Wine Company; Woodland Hills, California.
Paired With: Venison roulade with spinach and cheese filling, served with mushroom sauce, blue cheese potatoes gratin and asparagus.
Tasting:
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Last night we had venison paired with Denner Vineyards Ditch Digger, a “New California” wine that is a blend of Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsaut and Counoise. It was an OUTSTANDING pairing; but, as we finished the dinner we both said we should try this same dinner paired with a Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine. So the next night we prepared the exact dinner again and had it with the “Old World” pairing. Our review below is the result of this Châteauneuf-du-Pape pairing.
Opened 90-minutes before drinking. Opaque, dark garnet/purple color with the same color rim. A cloudburst of fresh cherry and earthy aromas with hints of the mucilaginous sap from the leaves of Aloe (Aloe vera), roasted chestnuts and freshly sharpened pencil. Noteworthy, VERY approachable, rich, silky smooth, full body and a 150-grit texture. Invigorating and sumptuous cherry and blackberry flavors, fresh acidity, prominent structured tannins and an EXCEPTIONAL finish that was long, opulent, flavorful, abounding with fine-grained tannins and ended with an aftertaste of smooth tar. WOW there was a lot going on in this Châteauneuf-du-Pape, from bouquet through the long finish…everything was simply perfect.
This is another Matt Bayless selection from the Woodland Hills Wine Company…and he hit it out of the park with this wine!!! Without question it was one of the Biggest Bang for the Buck wines we have had in a long time…it’s a four thumbs up in spades. This Châteauneuf-du-Pape simply had impeccable quality and was an exceptional value for the price.
So, did we like the venison pairing with the Châteauneuf-du-Pape…it was simply stellar; however, it was probably not any better a pairing than the Denner Vineyards Ditch Digger, but the Xavier Châteauneuf-du-Pape was truly a MEMORABLE wine.
Photo from Xavier Vignon.
Alcohol Content: 14.5%
Closure: Natural cork.
UPC Code: 3 760048 734141
Imported by: Unknown