Domaine Courtois "La Grande Vigne" Côtes du Rhône 2008 (Rhone Valley, France)

This 53 acre property is run by Pascal and Richard Jaume who maintain a strict focus on quality. Their 15-20 year old vines hail from the Vinsobres area of the Rhone (about 40 miles north of Chateauneuf-du-Pâpe) where they grow in silty, clay soils. Yields are low for the region—a mere 2.75 tons per acre. The component varieties are aged separately in stainless steel vats for 18 months before assemblage, and the final blend is composed of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre.