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Sourced from vineyards in the shadows of Gigondas’ spectacular Dentelles de Montmirail, the 91-point 2020 La Grand Comtadine Heritiers Cheron-Misset Côtes-du-Rhône (a mouthful for sure) offers juicy red fruit hinting of earthy incense and Provençal herbs, ending on a long, peppery note uplifted by bright acidity. After recently tasting this overachieving textbook Côtes-du-Rhône red, we ordered a sizeable parcel direct from winemaker Yves Cheron's cellar for our exclusive Rhône Week offers. Rarely available outside the region, it's a superb everyday value to stock up on and enjoy without hesitation from an appealing Southern Rhône vintage that produced "beautifully textured, elegant" reds according to Jeb Dunnuck.
Drawn to the untapped potential of the Southern Rhone’s smaller and lesser known appellations over fifty years ago, third-generation Burgundy grower Denis Cheron purchased a winemaking facility along with two hectares of vineyards in Vacqueyras called La Grand Comtadine in the 1960s, vinifying wines for local growers. Building relationships in the area over the next two decades, Denis was given the opportunity to purchase the Grand Montmirail in Gigondas when the heirless owner decided to retire, and along with his son Yves, they began producing wine under their own label in the 1980s. Expanding the family’s holdings and establishing long-term contracts with local growers since joining his father in 1983, winemaker Yves Cheron sourced the elegantly structured, Grenache-based 2020 La Grand Comtadine Heritiers Cheron-Misset Côtes-du-Rhône from 30 hectares of sustainably farmed, low-yielding vines, aging it in concrete tanks to preserve the fresh fruit flavors and refreshing, energetic acidity with plenty of depth to savor over the next five or so years.
Beautifully balancing bold fruit flavors with vibrant acidity and polished tannins, the succulent and silky-textured 91-point 2020 La Grand Comtadine Heritiers Cheron-Misset is delicious alone and easily pairs with food, a solid value CDR that fans of easy-drinking Southern Rhône reds will find themselves reaching for again and again. |