DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR 'LES CHAMPAUVINS' CÔTES DU RHÔNE

RHÔNE VALLEY, FRANCE 2016

In my experience one of the surest ways to find wine value is to search villages and vineyards located near (but not in) top crus and appellations. Oftentimes many of the site characteristics are similar—sometimes the two appellations are separated by only a narrow road or row of stones—but the wines may be priced at a fraction of the “big brother” wine pricing. A prime example of this value-hunting theory is Côtes du Rhône’s Domaine Grand Veneur ‘Les Champauvins.’ The ‘Les Champauvins’ vineyard plots are within the larger Côtes du Rhône appellation, but are located a mere three meters from the northern border of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Sure enough, the style is absolutely reminiscent of a fine Châteauneuf-du-Pape: deeply concentrated with classic dark berry fruit intermingling with complex spice and herb notes. In fact, Wine Advocate reports that today’s wine “could mop the floor with many Châteauneufs” (Joe Czerwinksi, WA).

2016 is heralded as one of the best recent vintages within the Southern Rhône, with many wines achieving that perfect balance of opulent fruit and refreshing acidity. Domaine Grand Veneur, under parent company Alain Jaume et Fils, consistently produces rich, high-quality Rhône wines, and the 2016 ‘Les Champauvins’ once again overdelivers. The Jaume family has been crafting wines within the Rhône Valley since the early 1800s and has no doubt became a mainstay in the region; however, they maintain a refreshing humility as well as deep respect for winemaking tradition and vintage variation. Everything seemed to align in the vineyards and cellars for the 2016 ‘Les Champauvins’ and to put it quite simply, this Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre blend is delicious. With a special Concierge price sub-$20/bottle, and further discounts on 6+ and 12+ bottles, this is a wine worth buying by the case.