Grapelive Daily Pick
By Kerry Winslow
***
2006 Domaine Chante-Perdrix Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rhone Red, France.
With all the amazing press and hype over the 2007 vintage in the southern Rhone Valley, there are a lot of wonderful wines slipping under the radar, or just plain forgotten and dumped out, which is a shame. That said, the 2006 Chante-Perdrix is not a wine to be missed or skipped, it is a complex and rich Chateauneuf that drinks great and has plenty of depth and body to impress anyone, even if they long for the 2007 high scoring wines. This vintage opens up with an earthy gamey nose that quickly turns wildflowers and spices before packing a punch of fruit on the palate with plum, cherry, blackberry all playing a part in the mouth. There is hints of pepper, lavender, grenadine, chalk, kirsch, bitter chocolate and a savory meatiness that add to the mystery and complexities in this fantastic Chateauneuf example. This might be the wine to drink over the next 3-5 years, especially if you are waiting for the 2007 Chateauneuf(s) to develop in your cellar! ($45 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive