JM 1ST APPROACH

52% Grenache, 40% Shiraz, 8% Mourvedre, Screwcap closure. Les Courtilles (a series of small courtyards) is named after the village winery founded in 1997 by Bernard Schurr. The 2009 Les Courtilles Cotes du Rhone is sourced from 35 year old vines on the right bank of the Rhone between Orange and Avignon. The fruit was hand-harvested and completely de-stemmed before a long cold soak on skins and open fermentation in small concrete vessels, pumped over twice daily. The wine was transferred to stainless steel tank to finish fermentation before a further nine months maturation on lees in tank. The wine was bottled with minimal fining, filtration or sulphur addition.

A lifted and attractive nose, very modern in style and unforced, with red berry aromas met by spice and dried herbs. The palate is likewise fruit focussed and vibrant with supple black berries, candied fruit and aniseed surrounded by soft savoury spice and fine tannins. Alcohol: 14.0%

The (inaugural) 2009 release was a belter and this is none the lesser. It’s a blend of shiraz 44% and grenache 48%, the remainder mourvedre. Made from 35 year old vines. Walks a delicious line between elegance and force. The southern Rhone may not be my bag, but again I’d be jumping into this. Violets, peanuts, dark cherries, kirsch. Controlled. Tight. Needs some bottle age or a decent decant. Takes the more popular opposition in its class to task. Flavour and interest at a terrific price. Rated : 91 Points Winefront