Wine Article

[Parker: “($22); I visited the three owners of Xavier Vins, the young oenologist, Xavier Vignon, who is the brain trust behind
so many of the wines, and his two partners. This relatively youthful, serious negociant company has been doing some
extraordinary consulting work in Chateauneuf du Pape, working for such estates as Raymond Usseglio, La Gardine, Jerome
Quiot, Beaurenard, La Nerthe, Mont Redon, Maucoil, Roger Perrin, Chateau Marcoux and Domaine Grand Veneur. They
access gorgeous fruit from many different appellations and are doing a top-flight job of getting impressive quality into the
bottle. Moreover, there are some top values in their portfolio as well...the sensational 2009 Cotes du Rhone, a blend of 60%
Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Carignan and 10% Syrah. Again, the practice of Xavier Vignon is to age all the Grenache
and Carignan in tank and the Mourvedre, and occasionally Syrah, in small oak. The classic Cotes du Rhone offers wonderful
peppery, black currant, black cherry, tobacco leaf, licorice and spice characteristics, abundant flavor, more body and density
than most wines with this humble pedigree, as well as terrific purity and texture. 91pts”]