Thursday 12 July 2012

A pair of cool reds from Montpeyroux

Red wine in hot weather is not everyone's choice, hence the popularity of rosé. I find young unoaked red served at fridge temperature does work particularly well, with the wine starting cold being absolutely essential if disappointment isn't to ensue - at least when it's 25 deg. plus indoors. Two reds that got this treatment were from Montpeyroux.

Jasse-Castel has a track record of nearly 15 years and makes particularly approachable wines that seem to drink well throughout there life (often that's well over 10 years). For us it's now up there with Auphilac and Alain Chabanon as an established star of the commune, plus Pascale Rivière certainly has few challengers in the vinous personality department. La Pimpanela 2010 has nice crunchy fruit - black cherry with a refreshing fennel and wild mint streak. Uncomplicated but certainly not a quaff. A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Carignan.

At the other extreme 2011 is the first vintage for the new Domaine de Joncas. I recall Pascal and Christiane Dalier were from Alsace and have been spotted visiting the area for many years. Alain Chabanon no less is their advisor. Jòia 2011 is their unoaked red, mainly Grenache with Syrah. A bit more crafted and refined that La Pimpanela; more redcurrent and rosehip fruit, deliciously fine and well knit in the mouth. Good length but currently a bit monolithic. At 14€ arguably poorer value than the 10€ Pimpanela, but then Montpeyroux is not the place to look for bargains these days, including procuring vineyards.