Domaine Alary Cairanne Jean de Verde 2022

Red Cuvée

Nearly pure Grenache with a deep red color. Richly nuanced and intense aromas of black fruit, bay leaf, and licorice. Wonderfully full-bodied, with vibrant, ripe berry flavors. High concentration and a silky smooth finish. Delicious with spiced lamb or hard, aged cheese. Drink from 3 years; keep for at least 10 years after harvest.

Côtes du Rhône villages Cairanne rouge

Denis Alary considers his 'La Jean de Verde' his finest wine, and the authoritative magazine The Wine Advocate calls it the very best Cairanne ever. Except for 5% Carignan, the wine is made entirely from Grenache grapes from a vineyard located at the top of the Cairanne hill.



The yield, at 25 hectoliters per hectare, is so low that production amounts to only 5,000 bottles per year. This is Alary's most expensive cuvée, but compared to the big names from the most famous Rhône crus, the price is incredibly attractive.

The wine is fantastic and has a wonderful Grenache expression with refinement and freshness. One drawback, however, is that the wine is in very limited supply.

Awards

Mention
The Wine Advocate - October 2019: (92-94)/100 points | Exciting notes of raspberries, stone fruit and allspice

Description
A blend of 90% Grenache and 5% each Carignan and Mourvèdre, from a site at the top of the appellation, the 2018 Cairanne la Jean de Verde is a promising example, even if it is a step behind the otherworldly 2016. Exciting notes of raspberries, stone fruit and allspice appear on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is ripe and round, even creamy in texture on the mid-palate, then turns rich and velvety on the long finish.

Mention
The Wine Advocate - November 2018: 96/100 points | A productive wine

Description
It starts with scents of crushed stone and licorice, then expands on the plate to reveal crazy intense blueberry and blackberry flavors. Medium to full-bodied, it remains fresh, zesty and vivacious on the long finish. If you can track down some of the 5,000 bottles that were made, grab them. Because of extremely low yields, there is no 2017.