The 2006 Cotes du Rhone Plan de Dieu is a real sleeper of the vintage, dominated by its 80% Grenache component. Ripe strawberry and black cherry fruit with some underlying mineral notes as well as pepper and sweet herbs make for a plump, attractive, lush style that can be drunk now or cellared for 3-4 years.
When I review the northern Rhone selections form Ferraton (in a future issue), readers will see that these wines, made by Michel Chapoutier and his staff, have jumped dramatically in quality over the last several years. The southern Rhone selections lag behind in quality, but these five wines are all pleasant.
(Not yet released)
Importer: A French Paradox, Peoria, IL; tel. (309) 682-8994