This “little” red wine of (Paul) Avril is a stunner! Avril is the
owner and winemaker at Clos des Papes, the world famous and
arguably best winery in France’s Châteauneuf-du-Pape zone in the
southern Rhône valley. This Châteauneuf look-alike packs a wallop
at a modest everyday price. A blend of Grenache, Syrah, and
Mourvèdre, the Petit Vin d’Avril offers all the spice and smoky
notes of southern Rhône wines usually costing two to three times as
much. The wine opens with rich black fruit and berry notes, then
segues into a veritable spice cabinet of complexity. Some air time
helps the wine open up and show off the gravelly notes that are so
distinctively Châteauneuf in character. This small production wine
won’t last for long, so jump on it now. Serve through the end of
this decade with roasted meats, spicy BBQ, salumi, hard cheeses,
and any mushroom-rich vegetarian cuisine.
A December 2012 Newsletter selection.
There are currently no reviews of this
item.
Submit a Review
