Happy Bastille Day! 🎉

Let’s celebrate with something French, “lush and generous… a complex, refined beauty and a terrific bargain at the estimated retail price” per Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, nonetheless.

Add the 95 points and slip it under $30 for that “terrific bargain” and voila!

Just like Wine Advocate, we could not believe what we were tasting. Where do we begin? The inky deep ruby glow? The perfect marriage of wild berries and scorched earth on the dizzying perfume? The mouthfuls of blackberry pie, espresso beans, dark chocolate, savory herbs, fine tannins, and vivacious acidity? First Growth levels of intensity, complexity, and length?!

Such a perfect example of a not-so-well-known fact. Great French wines can also be found outside of Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Rhône. The South of France has been the land of wine dreams come true, and absurd values can be found. Even outsiders with a vision can find their path. Jean-Noël Bousquet followed his to Corbières, and then Grand Moulin was crowned the prestigious Best Wine of the World award from Sélections Mondiales in 1994. The rest is history. While Grand Moulin’s reputation rose to the top locally, they remained a secret awaiting discovery for the rest of the wine world.

Fast forward to 2020 and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate changed that: “This producer has been one of my best discoveries in the three years I’ve been reviewing Languedoc wines for RPWA. Although I’ve yet to visit and taste the full range, the 10% of their production that comes under the Corbières Boutenac appellation represents amazing quality and great value. The three red wines reviewed this year are all matured in 100% new French oak, yet there’s virtually no mention of oak-derived aromas or flavors in my notes, and the complexity and elegance achieved in the 2015–2017 vintages have been remarkable to observe. In short, if you love blends of Carignan, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache, these should be on your shopping list.”

But Operatives don’t need a shopping list - we gotcha!

Just back le camion, the truck, le wagon, the cart, whatever you got just load to the brim and clean us out today. Shouldn’t be hard with only 6 barrels made - we hoarded all they could spare – so, GO!

95 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“A blend of 40% Carignan, 40% Mourvèdre and 20% Syrah, fermented and aged in 300-liter puncheons, the 2017 Corbières Boutenac Réserve Elysée is an expressive, elegant rendition of these grape varieties and the localized sandy soils. Floral, garrigue and raspberry notes abound on the nose, while the full-bodied, concentrated palate is lush and generous without going over the top. Focused by fine-grained, silky tannins, the fruit flavors—joined by savory suggestions of licorice, black olives and mocha—linger on the mouthwatering finish. It’s a complex, refined beauty and a terrific bargain at the estimated retail price. Drink 2020-2030.”