One look out the window these days will confirm it: winter has arrived. As the mounds of snow grow larger in our front yard, we feel all the cozier inside by the fireplace. We love winter outdoors — on skis, snowshoes, or just a brisk walk; but it’s the promise of a warm home at the end that makes the outdoors in winter that much more fun.
And no wine better matches this frigid weather than a Southern Rhône red. Grown in sunny vineyards baked under clear blue Provencal skies, the wines of the Rhône are a summery antidote to the cold winter months. These rich, mouthfilling blends pair perfectly with the cuisine of the season: baked goods, roasts, and stews.
One of our longtime favorite Rhône reds is the Domaine les Goubert’s “Cuvée Florence.” This blend of grenache and syrah is from Gigondas, but shows the richness and complexity of its more famous neighbor Châteauneuf-du-Pape. We’ve been enjoying the Cuvée Florence since the early 1990s, and the quality is better now than ever. We’re excited to release the 2011 for the first time today.
Josh Raynolds of Vinous awarded the 2011 Florence 91-92 points, finding “supple fine-grained tannins” and “very good length.” The bottle we tasted yesterday was just delicious — rich and dark and inky. The nose showed stewed raspberry jam, thyme, and a hint of lavender. The mouth is intensely concentrated, with a chewy blend of plum, blueberry jam, and pan drippings. The finish is long, with a dose of wood that should carry this wine for many years.
Whether this week’s snow has you holed up inside or out exploring the frozen world, this rich, wintery southern red blend is the perfect companion.
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GOUBERT Gigondas “Florence” 2011
Ansonia Retail: $50
quarter-case price: $42/bot
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AVAILABLE IN 3- 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS
Email Tom to place an order.
or call Tom: (617) 249-3657
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Terms of sale. Ansonia Wines MA sells wine to individual consumers who are 21 or more years of age, for personal consumption and not for resale. All sales are completed and title passes to purchasers in Massachusetts. Ansonia Wines MA arranges for shipping on behalf of its customers upon request and where applicable laws permit.