In France - Domaine Catherine Le Goeuil

Domaine Catherine Le Goeuil, 2005 Cairanne

One of the most interesting aspects regarding the background of this wine is that winemaker Catherine Le Goeuil uses only organic methods to produce not only one of the great values to come out of Cairanne, but also a lovely example of a French Grenache. Her decision to become biodynamic in the vineyard has improved the quality of her wines, and apparently the birds are enjoying the natural environment so much that they sing much louder about it. These organic wines are first reflected in her 2000 vintage and she has found her methods to be successful and fruitful. These organic wines are a true reflection of the climate and terroir of the Cairanne region. Using her love for flowers, she emphasizes the aromatics of her wines - creating floral fruit and earthy fragrance.

Domaine Catherine Le Goeuil is located in the petite village of Cairanne, (a relatively unknown village) in the heart of the valley of the southern Rhône. This town is one of the original four Côtes du Rhône Villages. Wine has been made in Cairanne dating back beyond the Middle Ages. Most of the vines at Domaine Catherine Le Goeuil are over 40 years old and some date back even further. These vines are maintained to be low yielding to ensure the high quality and concentration of fruit. The grapes are harvested completely by hand.

The 2005 was full-bodied, well balanced, and aromatic. I languished on the full berry flavors, and I liked the way the wine felt on my tongue. This spicy Grenache was delicious, ripe, with an intriguing peppery undertone. I tried to picture Catherine in her garden tending to her flowers and how that may affect the flavors in the wine. But, I was overcome with the notion that she probably has very little time for her flower garden, tending to her vineyards the old fashioned - yet newly fashionable way. Her property and the wines from her estate are getting great press - as one of the "hottest" properties of the Southern Rhone Valley.

Will this wine make it in the shipment - too soon to tell!

Prospect 772

"The Brat"

How can you call a wine "a brat" that is so damn good? A blend of yes - you guessed right, my favorite varietals - Grenache (53%) & Syrah (47%) from the Sierra Foothills. Big, bold, juicy fruit, luscious & lingering - this wine can actually speak to you! It calls out with velvet excitement, balanced dimensional flavors and true Rhone aromas. Brings me straight back to my Chateauneuf-du-Pape dreams.

Prospect 772 Wines is a relatively new wine company with longtime inspiration. This is wine gang with a huge amount of experience, history and the proprietors, Ron & Wendy (above) are finally realizing their dreams in a delicious way.

Though we probably met many times over the years, I really met Ron in the Rhone three years ago with a bunch of his cronies, including Jeff Cohn - winemaker for Prospect 772 (more about Jeff later) at the Rhone Decouvertes. We were all like a band of gypsies traipsing through France, drinking to our hearts content, lavishing in the artistic Rhone winemakers efforts from the barrel, the bottle and the glass. Each day brought a new adventure of some very serious wine tasting and of course the night brought the serious and very fun wine drinking (and not to mention eating). This is when I first heard about Ron's wine project, with the same passion and enthusiasm that we saw at their debut celebration this past November, where we got to first taste The Brat and The Brawler (Syrah with 4% Viognier). That night they were also blessed by a wonderful review (see below) from James Laube of the Wine Spectator.

Beginners Luck? I think not. This is a true love story about a boy & a girl & their friends & their love of grapes.

91 points ~ Wine Spectator, November 2007
Savory, with supple flavors that build, with spice, dried berry, anise and sage, supported by firm tannins and ending with a hint of spice and cedar. Grenache and Syrah.

Drink now through 2011. 150 cases made.
–James Laube Wine Spectator

http://www.prospect772.com/home.html