Domaine Saint Amant la Grangeneuve Côtes du Rhône 2004

Rating: 92+ - As reviewed by The Wine Messenger This dark purple wine from Saint Amant is a blend of Grenache and Syrah, making for a very complex red with a long finish, clean on fruit.
Grangeneuve is Saint Amant’s premier red wine from its older vineyards. It is a blend of Grenache (50%) from 35 to 70 year old vines and Syrah (50%) from 25 to 40 year old vines. These low-yielding vineyards produce extremely concentrated and flavorful grapes. The wine is then aged for 12 months in oak barrels (half of which are new) to provide distinction and finesse to the wine.
A dark purple colored wine with a powerful, concentrated nose of blackberry, read more...cassis and blueberry fruit complemented by wild herb and smoky wood notes. A very complex wine: on the palate sweet red and dark fruit flavors mingle with those of herbs, spices, licorice, mint, and mushrooms. The finish is long and clean on fruit and black pepper. This wine has aging potential – it can cellar until 2012. Let breathe before serving with stews, braised beef, barbecue chicken, hamburgers, and other grilled meats.
Barbecue Chicken, Beef, Green Vegetables, Grilled Chicken, Grilled Pork, Grilled Red Meats, Hamburger, Stews
Domaine Saint Amant is situated along a winding road 1,600 feet above sea level. It was created by a Parisian, Jacques Wallut, over 25 years ago. While he was at first mocked for his decision to plant Viognier and Syrah at such a high altitude, his success has been undeniable, as his wines are now sought after by top sommeliers of the south of France.
Côtes du Rhône produces some of the most popular (and most affordable) French wines. These wines are based on the dark and peppery Grenache grape with smaller amounts of the smoky, spicy Syrah, the blackberry-flavored Mourvédre, and the full-bodied Cinsault grapes added to the blend. The vast majority of Côtes du Rhône wines come from large producers or brands that buy grapes from many different growers of varying quality. The best wines, however, come from small producers like Domaine des Coteaux des Travers with vineyards in the better villages like Rasteau, Cairanne, and Beaumes-de-Venise.
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much darker,garnet purple. pepper. pepper+spice,some fruit,soft finish with a touch of pepeer and soft tannins.

December 2008