Wine Review of 2015 Vidal-Fleury Côtes du Rhône Rouge, France
Score: 89+/100 points
This Cotes du Rhone by négociant Maison Vidal Fleury (established 1781 in Southern France) is a blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and 5% Carignan aged on lees 70% in tanks and 30% in large oak vats (foudres).
About 400K bottles of this cuvée are produced annually, making of this Cotes du Rhone an affordable and broadly available Southern French red wine.
It retails in the US around $15-$20 (£10 – €12). This 2015 was scored 88/100 points by Robet Parker of The Wine Advocate and 89/100 by the Wine Spectator.
But how good is it?
Vidal-Fleury Côtes du Rhône in Video
Watch my review and tasting comments in video as I tried the wine in front of the camera, or read my notes further down below.
Overall Wine Review Notes & Tasting Impressions
A dark and intense wine in its appearance, and a rather profound one in its aromatic profile for a Cotes du Rhone made by a négociant.
It looks and smells deep, perhaps helped by the fact that this is a 3-year-odl wine already (vintage 2015 while you often find Cotes du Rhone wines that are only 1 or 2 years old only on the market).
Juicy aromas of blackberry compete with raspberry jam, a touch of herbal grassiness like basil, and a warming and comforting pepperiness (perhaps from the Syrah in the blend) is to be smelt predominantly.
On the palate, the wine feels both very smooth and generous, as well as crisp and dry from such a salivating acidity.
Tannins are soft, while the body is coating and underlining positively the generosity of the ripe red berry fruit flavor characters.
While some warmth from the alcohol is to be felt (which is somewhat comforting if you like ripe blackberry or cherry flavors), the whole feel dry and slightly earthy at the same time, making for a vinous wine that promises to be very food friendly.
Food & Wine Pairings?
It will certainly withstand flavorful dishes such as pizzas, pasta dishes and barbecues or grilled meats thanks to its opulent body, soft texture, and driven chili-like peppery spiciness.
Enjoy 🙂
Please let me know your thoughts