Côtes du Rhône Magic For $16.99 from Paul Autard!
Want a secret to finding some of the best values in the wine world? Look for an entry level wine from an upper tier estate!
Jean-Paul Autard and his daughter Pauline are famous for their powerful and complex expressions of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Deliciously ripe with seductive textures and classic Southern Rhône character, they typically go for $50 to $90 and are well worth the price.
Today, however, our headliner is their charming Côtes-du-Rhône, a wine made by Jean-Paul and Pauline in the same cellar using hand-harvested fruit from their vineyards in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, yet selling for 1/3rd the price.
Packed with peppery red fruit, loads of Rhône character and a ton of deliciousness, this $16.99 red is the kind of wine we love to bring to you. Read on for the details, and for a crack at Autard's 2020 "La Côte Ronde" Châteauneuf-du-Pape, then hammer down on the Big Yellow Button!
2023 Domaine Paul Autard Côtes du Rhône
Southern Rhône, France
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Loaded with lovely wild strawberry and lifted raspberry fruits, this medium-translucent, bright ruby purple colored charmer struts its stuff from the first sip.
Classic Southern Rhône notes of white pepper, prairie flowers and just-picked herbs add to the nuance, perfectly complementing the ripe Paul Autard style.
Sourced entirely from their estate vineyards in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this bright, juicy and super-fresh blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre is an absolute joy to drink on its own and with just about anything you have on the table.
Were you to do a blind tasting of this tank-raised gem, you'd likely guess it as a $25 to $30 bottle of Rasteau or Gigondas. At its typical price of $20, it is already a very hot buy. Thanks to our direct relationship with the winery, we bring it to you today for even less.
If you're a Côtes-du-Rhône fan, the 2023 Autard is beyond a slam dunk. If you've not yet jumped into Rhône reds, this juicy, friendly, nuanced and absolutely lovely bottle is the perfect opportunity to find out why these wines are among the most delightful on the planet!
Vin Chicago Price: 16.99
Jean-Paul and Pauline's Opulent 95-Point Châteauneuf!
2020 Domaine Paul Autard "Cuvée La Côte Ronde"
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, France
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We flipped out over this single-vineyard Châteauneuf-du-Pape when we initially tasted it a few years ago and it blew our hair back even more when we tasted it again a few months ago with Jean-Paul and Pauline in their cellar
Coming from a small 90-year-old plot filled with rolled pebbles and fossilized limestone blocks, it is rich, concentrated, front-loaded and deeply fruited. Copious amounts of mixed red, blue and black berries popping with notes of black pepper, smoked meat, wild green herbs, warm stony earth tones, and an oak-inspired layer of vanilla and cocoa bean make for a veritable flavor explosion!
"The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Côte Ronde is an even split of Grenache and Syrah, and as usual, was brought up all in new oak. It has an awesome nose of cassis, blackberries, graphite, ground pepper, and violets, with its new oak perfectly integrated into the wine. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has impressive tannins, terrific overall balance, and a great finish. This brilliant effort will keep for 10-15 years. Maturity: 2022 - 2037.”
- 95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (11/11/2022)
"Opulent and winey, with a ripe mix of cherry and blackberry puree notes encased in sweet cedar and spices. Packs a lot of power, with beautiful texture on the fleshy palate. Showing savoriness, thanks to black pepper and garrigue, this is a well-done version of a modern style. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2030. 500 cases made, 100 cases imported.”
- 93 Points, Wine Spectator (9/30/2023)
When Wine Spectator published their review 30 months ago, they quoted a price of $65. Even with the new tariffs, we're able to bring it to you for much less. A great bottle of Châteauneuf, drinking at its prime! Only a few cases.
Vin Chicago Price: 48.99
