André Brunel 2007 Cuvée Sommelongue
I have always appreciated the wines from André Brunel. His wines from Les Cailloux in Châteauneuf du Pape can be outstanding. Brunel also produces a Côtes du Rhône from a small vineyard just outside the city of Orange. His Cuvée Sommelongue is 90% Grenache with 5% Syrah and Mourvèdre thrown in for good measure. For years this had been one of my go-to wines for inexpensive old world flavor and style. The ’06, however, left me wanting. Brighter and lighter than previous vintages, the wine was inoffensive, but not something that made me want to pour another glass.
Last night I tried a bottle of the ’07 ($15 and under). Darker and more tightly wound the ’06, this wine is bigger than it looks and it needs a little time to open up. Showing spice and dark fruit, with a medium long finish, this is a wine to pair with a pan fried steak or a roast chicken. This is not a wine for the cellar, but it is a wine for the glass.
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