2005 Domaine André Brunel Cuvée Sabrine, Côtes du Rhône Villages

For the last 90 years the Brunel Family has been making wine in France’s famous Rhone valley region. Andre, the maker of this particular wine joined the family business in 1971, becoming the third generation in the Brunel family to follow the tradition of wine making. Andre himself has been responsible for making the wine from the Brunel Estate a renowned and sought after treat, as he has drastically improved the quality of wines, and given the Brunel Domaine a world class name. Andre Brunel’s wines have been known for the past 20 years to be of high quality and to have a very dependable production of Rhone valley wine.

The Estate today covers 80 hectares, with vineyard holdings throughout the southern Rhône valley. The Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc is produced from grapes grown in the Becassonne vineyard, which is located in Sorgues, 6km south of Châteauneuf du Pape. The Vaucluse vineyard is located on the banks of the river Aigues on the famous 'Plan de Dieu' terroir between Orange & Vaison, boasting vines of 30-40 years old. The Sommelongue vineyard is just north of Orange and some 10km north of Châteauneuf du Pape. The famous Les Cailloux vineyard stretches 18 hectares in AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape. 

The 2005 Andre Brunel Cuvee Sabrine, is a red blend of Grenache 80% and Syrah 20% which contributes to this wines complexity, remaining true in tradition of a typical French style wine. Also, this red blend is a Côtes du Rhône Villages wine, meaning it is considered even better quality than the well known Côtes du Rhône wines.

Body: Medium to Full
Color: Ruby Red
Wine: Domaine André Brunel Cuvée Sabrine
Variety: Côtes du Rhône Villages
Vintage: 2005
Alcohol: 13.5%
Rating: 90

Tasting Notes:
As this wine opens up is reveals a nose of ceder and pepper. There is also a bit of vanilla, cherry, and a bouquet of herbs on the nose. The bright fruit flavors that first hit the tongue are full, yet well balanced and not overwhelmingly fruity. This wine starts out with cherries and strawberries which are smooth and silky on the tongue, nice and slightly acidic, then becomes spicy and peppery in the middle, with a very long and lavishing dark chocolate finish.

“André Brunel has always been one of the most progressive and brilliant proprietors of Chateauneuf du Pape and the good news is that he has purchased 40 hectares (that’s over 100 acres) of high-class Cotes du Rhône vineyards near Châteauneuf-du-Pape, so we can expect to see larger quantities of serious wines emerge.” Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (169) February 2007