2007 Rhone Vintages Touch Perfection
Some of you may have heard the talk that is going around about the 2007 Southern Rhone vintage. If you haven't heard the buzz, then read on! The growing season in Southern Rhone was blessed with near-flawless conditions resulting in perfectly ripe grapes with good levels of acidity and fine, soft tannins. The key to this vintage was the temperate, dry conditions. Flowering began in May and was met with around 400mm of rain. By June, the climate dried out significantly and ended up as the driest growing season in the last 20 years. The weather was also a little cooler than the past few winters. The usual high winds (called Mistral) ensured the grapes did not suffer from rot and mildew. All these factors allowed for the 2007 vintage to be exceptional. The clean fruit, moderate acidity and excellent phenolic ripeness mean we will be drinking great 2007 Southern Rhone reds for some time.
If you are looking to indulge in one or two of these French gems, here are a few I recommend. For those in South Africa, these wines are available via Great Domaines: www.greatdomaines.co.za.
- 2007 Gigondas Chateau Château de Saint Cosme: this wine is full rich pure Grenache based fruit that will drink well on release and for a further six to seven years.
- 2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Domaine du Vatican "Sixtine": this is a true example of what the 2007 vintage has to offer. It exhibits lovely fruit, a great structure and finishes off with a spicy note.
While there are many fantastic 2007 French Rhone wines to choose from, there seems to be a growing interest in South African Rhone-style varietals. On an almost daily basis, I am discovering new, phenomenal South African Rhone-style red and white blends. One such wine that seems to stand out year in and year out is the Guardian Peak SMG (Syrah, Mouvedre and Grenache). The SMG floral aromas dominate upfront with hints of jasmine and finish off with soft spices from the oak. On the palate, this wine is full of berry fruits including black cherries and black currant, which leave a lingering finish. Currently, the 2007 is extremely satisfying and it is fitting that this coincides with the great 2007 vintage from Southern Rhone.
So next time you want to compare two wines side by side, try a 2007 Southern Rhone wine next to the 2007 Guardian Peak SMG. This comparison well-illustrates the incredible potential of South African Rhone-style blends.
Neil Grant
Sommelier Ernie Els Wines
