The 2004 Cotes du Rhone Le Poutet displays the classic Provencal concoction of roasted herbes de Provence and kirsch liqueur in a medium-bodied, soft, stylish format. This could easily be confused with a premier cru from Burgundy given its finesse, complexity, and savory style. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.
As I have said so many times, young Laurent Charvin, working from this vineyard in the very northern sector of Chateauneuf du Pape, produces one of the most elegant and sublime Chateauneuf du Papes of the area . In short, the wines most closely resemble the finesse of Chateau Rayas when it was made by the late Jacques Reynaud. A real value from this estate is their Cotes du Rhone, which is a wonderful introduction to the style of the winemaking and is essentially a down-sized version of their Chateauneuf du Pape.
Importer: Peter Weygandt, Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800