André Brunel, the renowned producer of Les Cailloux, vinifies this terrific Côtes du Rhone, le Sommelongue. The 9 hectare parcel is in one contiguous piece, is very flat and very exposed to the sun. This wine is entirely made in stainless steel tank and the Cuvée Sommelongue is bottled unfiltered and fashioned in a supple and open style with a powerful core of fruit, earth and spice.
Andre Brunel fashions delicious, fairly priced, flavor-packed offerings from the Côtes du Rhône that are sold under his own name. A perennial favorite among bargain hunters is his Côtes du Rhône Cuvée Sommelongue. The sexy 2008 (a poor man’s Châteauneuf du Pape?) exhibits a light ruby hue along with loads of spice box, ground pepper, and kirsch liqueur. This medium-bodied, silky-textured, hedonistic wine should be consumed over the next 1-2 years.
$12.99 the bottle or $132.50/case ($11.04)
