Brun-Avril Côtes du Rhône '21

The Avril family has been in Châteauneuf since the 14th century (15 generations and counting). Domaine Brun-Avril, however, was established in 2008 by the husband-and-wife team of Nathalie and Jean-Jacques Brun. Their five hectares were part of an inheritance, one that changed the course of their lives. After deciding that they wanted to preserve the family’s holdings, they studied viticulture. Since then, they’ve expanded their holdings considerably, and in 2020 their son Henri joined the domaine. Despite being new winemakers, their style is decidedly old school, and they are in the process of achieving organic certification.
 
The Côtes du Rhône rouge is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. The vineyards are located between Orange and Jonquières, northeast of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with clay-calcareous soil. The vines are average 35 years in age for the Grenache and 50 years for the Syrah. Exposure to the mistral wind ensures healthy and concentrated grapes.
 
The grapes are harvested by hand, and vinification is carried out in concrete and steel tanks for six weeks, using indigenous yeasts. The temperature is kept low during fermentation. Punch-downs and pump-overs are practiced to gently extract aromas and tannins. The wine is matured for 12 months in 600-liter demi-muids.

A beautifully expressive Southern Rhône red, showcasing plenty of ripe red fruit along with notes of garrigue.  Medium bodied, this really glides across the palate, and is dangerously drinkable!