2010 Domaine de Pigaugier “Tenebi” Sablet Cotes du Rhone Villages Rouge cuvee Counoise, France.
This unique 100% Counoise red from the Rhone’s Sablet is a beautifully detailed and spicy wine with pure cherry and plum layers, chalky minerals and red spices really is an interesting example of this grape, which is one of the 13 Chateauneuf du Pape varietals. There seems to be a new excitement about this grape as it is now being used as a single varietal in many wines from both the south of France and even here in California. It is a pretty garnet hue that greets you in the glass and there is plenty of racy red fruit and medium weight on the palate with an almost Burgundy like presence without the seriousness and the peppery finish is firmly tannic and dry. Notes of strawberry and lavender add complexity as the wine opens and you’ll wish you had an bottle or two in reserve.
($20 Est.) 91 Points, grapelive
