Grands Bois Cotes du Rhone Villages Cuvee Philippine 2019

• Buy a case or more $15.99
• Buy Six Sale $16.89 – Best US Price!
• All Else Sale $17.99

ALL 9 previous vintages have rated 90-93 pts Wine Advocate

This cuvee comes from the Villages of Saint-Cecile. The newly-designated sub-region abuts Cairanne to the east and Plan de Dieu to the south. As with other, lesser-known regions in the Cotes du Rhone, Saint-Cecile offers incredible value – if you know where to look. Well, of course we do… but more importantly, owner Marc Besnardeau knows where to look!

For nearly 30 years, Besnardeau has been one of the top producers in the Southern Rhone, fashioning wines from the distinct terroirs of Cairanne, Rasteau and Saint-Cecile long before they were recognized as legally distinct appellations. For years, all of the grapes from this vineyard went into his Cuvee Gabrielle. Now he splits the production between Gabrielle and Philippine. Both are roughly 55% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 10% Carignan. The difference? While Gabrielle is aged in oak barrels, the Philippine is scandalously naked!

Picked at yields similar to Châteauneuf-du-Pape (35 hectoliters per hectare), this baby is packed with intensity and complexity. Aromas of thyme and lavender mix with succulent notes of black cherry and raspberries which cascade across your tongue. A twist of pepper and a hint of anise add to the long, silky finish.

As low as $15.99, this is an incredible value. (Six pack for me gang! Seriously… we’ll see how closely they read my email.)

Any Provencal-styled dish will do, but I came across this recipe for a Smoky Bean and Monkfish Stew that looks divine. Click the pic for a recipe.


Or reply. The wine is available now in Chapel Hill. Friday, as ordered, in Hillsborough.