Janasse 'Terre d'Argile":simply gorgeous

With a roast chicken last night a simply gorgeous Cotes du Rhone villages – the 2006 Janasse ‘Terre d’Argile”. Janasse, of course, produces top notch Chateauneuf du Pape but alongside these it crafts a range of Cotes du Rhone that punch well above their weight. The Terre d’Argile comprises equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Its shows a dark ruby red in the glass, has an open nose of garrigue herb and bacon fat, on the palate gives a mouthfilling concentration of blackberry, red cherry, liqorice, and Syrah spice. The tannins are already super smooth and there is a delicate sweetness on the finish. A really classy example of a village level wine…though at €13 more expensive than most Gigondas. One to follow..