2006 Cotes du Rhone Villages Rasteau

The 2006 is a whopper, aged in one-third demi-muids, small foudres, and small barrels. This wine has a dense purple color, a big, sweet nose of black chocolate, jammy kirsch, animal fat, and roasted Provencal herbs. Enormous aromatics are followed by a wine of superb power and richness, and tremendous depth and intensity. This is a remarkable wine that should drink nicely for 10-15 more years. This is one of the sensational estates in Rasteau, with proprietor Jerome Bressy farming just over 20 acres of vines. Organic farming and the naturally low yields of his old vines (8-15 hectoliters per hectare) result in wines of extraordinary concentration and intensity. The general blend on his Rasteau is 70% Grenache and the rest Syrah, Mourvedre, and Carignan. Various American importers, including Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228