A Moment In Wine Show 405 – F. Jeantet Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2015

Welcome to “a Moment in Wine”. I am Fred Tregaskis and we are tasting wines from around the world. Today we get to go to one of the most beautiful vineyard areas I have had the pleasure of visiting, Chateauneuf du Pape in the Rhone Valley in South East France.

While most other wine appellations in France limit the wine maker’s grape choices to only a few varieties, anything goes in the Rhone. There can be as many as thirteen varieties in a blend here compared to say only two varieties in Burgundy Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The F. Jeannette is made from Grenache and Syrah, and the 2015 vintage was an exceptional year there.

First in the glass it is an almost opaque garnet red color with lovely aromas of ripe berries and a distinctive cedar smell.

The flavor is one of ripe plums, bright raspberry and black berries with a distinctive candy, almost cherry cough drop taste.

It is a medium bodied wine with a nice bright and not too tannic finish. Probably best not to store this too long in the wine cellar and drink it young.

I would think this would be an excellent pairing with grilled lamb.