2009 Domaine Les Genestas Côtes-du-Rhône
There are Co-ops…..and then there are Co-ops.
Les Vignerons D’Estezargues is a Southern Rhone Cooperative located in the Gard Departement near Villeneuve-Les-Avignon. The cooperative was formed in 1965 and when Jean-Francois Nicq took over the reins in 1989 the quality levels jumped. Jean-Francois decided to vinify seperately and make single cuvees from each of the 10 vignerons that made up the cooperative. The vignerons were finally convinced and the new changes were put in to place with the 1995 vintage.
In 1998, the cooperative again shifted gears when they decided to take a more natural approach to the winemaking and when Denis Deschamps took over the winemaking duties in 2002 the cooperative took the following steps: No external yeasts, no filtration, no fining, no enzymes, no SO2 at the crusher or in the cellar and only a little bit for bottling….not your typical cooperative that’s for certain.
The 2009 Domaine Les Genestas from the Les Vignerons D’Estezargues is a Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages and is a blend of Syrah, Grenache & Mourvedre…..not sure of the exact make up of this particular model though.
Vibrant purple/red in hue with a fragrant nose showing aromas of blackberry, red plum, cherry and blueberries. There’s hints of deep spice, roasted meats and earth along with touches of dried flowers, citrus rind, sous bois, macerated black fruits, licorice and funk……there’s a funky….kind of chevre note in the mix and touch of V.A. in there too…nothing too over the top or shrill….just enough to amplify those top notes and lift the perfume.
Medium-bodied with a lovely fragrant fruit entry showing energetic blackberry, plum and cherry flavours with a dash of blueberry. There’s gamey, beef consomme facets in the mix with hints of Asian spice, a touch of tobacco, herbs, violets, licorice, dark chocolate, candied orange rind and berry compote. Plenty of life in the palate…lovely mineral laden acidity and the tannin structure is grainy and chewy but ripe as can be.
Price: $28 – Closure: Cork – Alcohol: 14.5% – Source: Cellar – Importer: Andrew Guard Wine Imports
Lively and etched with stone and minerals
