WTN: Rasteau from Beaurenard; ideal for the purpose?

[Tim York]

Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau 2007 - Domaine du Beaurenard (Paul Coulon et fils) - Alc. 14.5% - (€11,50)

IMHO, it is absolutely ideal for barbecue grilled meat and sauces. Deep purple tinged colour; nose of anise impregnated dark fruit. Palate was full bodied and generous, the fruit was sweet not savoury and was enhanced by Provençal herb, pepper and anise; the finish was supported by well covered ("enrobés") and tangy tannins and was quite long; not a trace here of parasitical flavour coming from oak. This is more generous but with less acidity than my memory of the 2004 and I think that it should be drunk up in the next 24 months; 16/20 QPR!.

It was a warm evening (c. 23°C/73°F) and the wine showed best initially at 16/17°C; warming up over the course of the meal, it lost some liveliness.

Here is a link to the estate's website http://www.beaurenard.fr/indexgb.htm .

[JC (NC)]

It does sound like a great barbeque/grilling wine.

[Bob Parsons Alberta]

parasitical flavour coming from oak.

See you are on good form as usual Tim!!

[David M. Bueker]

I have sold this wine for the last couple of vintages. I think it has gotten much better since 2005. It seemed to have picked up more weight and density compared to 2004 and prior. It sells here for $18. If someone is wondering if they would like CDP this is what I have them try for entry level.