2009 Maison Brotte Château De Bord Côtes du Rhône Villages Laudun La Croix De Fregere

The outstanding 2009 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Laudun Chateau de Bord La Croix de Fregere is a big time sleeper of the vintage. Dominated by Grenache, it has gotten better and better under the supervision of the brilliant Philippe Cambie. It boasts a deep ruby/purple color along with sweet black raspberry and black cherry fruit notes intertwined with hints of crushed rocks and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied, pure and dense, it should drink nicely for 5-6 years. (Not yet released) The Brotte family was among one of the first to estate bottle Chateauneuf du Papes in the early 1930s. Over recent years, under the guidance of Laurent Brotte, the grandson of the founder, Charles Brotte, quality has improved dramatically. Additionally, they have brought in the renowned consultant, Philippe Cambie. Brotte is still best known for their non-vintage, solera blend of Chateauneuf du Pape called La Fiole, which is a huge commercial success. The quality is very good in spite of the phoney dust or the twisted and bent bottle. All of the wines I recently tasted with Laurent Brotte are classy, well-made, high quality efforts. Brotte seems to go largely unnoticed in the American market, but that should change based on what they have been accomplishing over recent vintages. Various American importers based on the state in which you live: www.brotte.com