Wine of the Week 23
Chateau Val Joanis 2003 Cotes Du Luberon
According the them: Château Val Joanis Red is a well structured and balanced wine, suppleand round with a deep purple colour. A slightly spiced wine with notes of black-berries, red-berries and fruits. Origin: Rhone Valley AOC Cotes du Luberon. Grapes: Syrah and Grenache. According to Wine Spectator September 2005- 87 pts:
“Plump and fleshy, with a layer of cocoa covering the plum and berry fruit. Nice smoky finish has a chewy tinge, but solid fruit. Drink now through 2006.”
According to Decanter Mag June 2004: One of 10 best values - “Dark, spicy with subtle leather and blackberry fruit; big, round and smooth. Loaded with Grenache fruit and ready to drink”According to me: I’ve really enjoyed getting into French and Spanish wines a little bit more and getting away from all things Italia. The bottles and different chateau’s and different grapes are enough to keep you busy reading for a long long time. I enjoyed the dryness of this wine with whiffs of cherries and strawberrries on the nose. Overall, this wine was excellently smooth and very tasty. A great value for under $10. The Luberon region is just north of one of my favorite places, Aix en Provence.