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AWM 2019 Red Wine of the Year!
It’s not an easy chore here at the shop to single out a red “Wine of the Year.” Each and every one of the exclusive AWM Hand-Picked Selections that I personally source could compete for the title. They all represent their place of origin with wonderful typicity of terroir while maintaining a friendly price point.
So why is this the “Red Wine of the Year”? Simply put, aside from his amazing Châteauneuf-du-Pape releases, it’s one the best wines I have ever tasted from my friend Guilliame Gonnet — and it just happens to be extremely well priced, especially for insiders!
Cairanne: superb value from a relatively undiscovered region.
Long-time AWM customers know we’re Francophiles and that we have a special fondness for the wines from the South of France. The wines from this region are nuanced with a vibrant dose of garrigue — the local scrubby, piney herbs that grow everywhere. Thyme, rosemary, savory, bay laurel, lavender all mingle with the peppery notes of Grenach and Syrah and after a sip or two, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a holiday in Provence!
Guillaume Gonnet
Guillaume is a fan of tradition and at the same time a pioneer in advanced winemaking technology. His vineyards are organically and sustainably farmed, without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides. In the winery, his philosophy is to guide the wine along with minimal intervention in order to present the perfect purity of his terroir. While he does experiment with some oak aging, he prefers well-used barrels to protect the freshness of the fruit.
The 2017 Cairanne “Le Brave” is a stunning red and for the price, I can’t think of any wine with a better price-quality ratio. It was the sleeper hit of our recent Châteauneuf-du-Pape Wine Dinner with Guillaume, and we immediately sold out that very evening.
In the glass, there is a concentration and complexity not usually found in this price range. It’s not only about power, the bold richness is superbly balanced and refined, leaving you yearning for another sip. With just a swirl or two in the glass, the air activates aromas of grenadine, black cherry, and black raspberry, all swimming around notes of garrigue. The super-smooth and plush palate is brimming with briary flavors of dark red and blackberry, fig, and red licorice, along with savory notes of olive tapenade and herbs. Tannins are silky smooth and perfectly ripe, making this a great wine to enjoy on its own or with food. Pair this with just about anything from the grill, pulled pork, burgers, steaks, stews, and ragouts.
I only have 30 cases to play with on this drop, so get in on this one while the getting is good. If you placed a pre-order from the dinner, we’ll give you a call to confirm your purchase.
2017 Guillaume Gonnet Cairanne “Le Brave”
Rhône Valley, France- Can't make it in? Call 828-253-0060 with your credit card number.
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