There is a general assumption that all French wines worth drinking are expensive, that there are no worthy wines of value from the country that can claim home to the largest number of 'noble grapes'. Today, this couldn't be further from the truth as a number of savvy shoppers are paying close attention to the wines of Languedoc Roussillon. One such wine is Chimeres, a proprietary blend from Chateau Saint-Roch. Though originally focused on Lirac and the Rhone, the winemakers' wine from Cotes du Roussillon has been receiving plenty of attention of late, with a score of 92 points from Wine Advocate for both the '06 and '07 vintage to show for it.
So when a producer pays equal attention in the vineyard and winery, what is the major variable in the wines? The vintage. Recently, we tasted the '06 and '07 wines, both in stock, both only $14.95. So with both having received the same score, which vintage should one choose...why not both? The '06 expresses minerality and pepper, with a chocolate and dark fruit richness from a vintage that began with stressed vines and ended with potentially overripe fruit. The steady and long '07 vintage created wines that focus on freshness with raspberry and cherry fruit, Provencal herbs and a lovely floral component. Both wines are an excellent value and I highly suggest clients try both to determine for themselves which style they prefer, or in which circumstance or with what meal they prefer them, and most of all...to just have fun.
2006 Chateau Saint-Roch Cotes Roussillon Chimeres - 92pts RP - $14.95/btl
2007 Chateau Saint-Roch Cotes Roussillon Chimeres - 92pts RP - $17.95/btl