Lavau Côtes du Rhône Red 2019 - Rhone, France

91/100 James Suckling
Bronze - Wine Enthusiast
90/100 James Suckling (2018 vintage)
Bronze - Wine Enthusiast (2015 vintage)

2 Stars, Le Guide Hachette des Vins Awarded: 2016 (2012 vintage)
2 Stars, Le Guide Hachette des Vins Awarded: 2014 (2011 vintage)
Gold, Concours General Agricole Paris Awarded: 2013 (2011 vintage)
Silver, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles Awarded: 2013 (2011 vintage)
Gold, Concours General Agricole Paris Awarded: 2011 (2010 vintage)

James Suckling "A fruity, polished red with creamy tannins and softness and attractiveness that makes you want to drink it. It’s medium-to full-bodied with round tannins and a delicious finish. "

Wine Enthusiast "Notes of anisette, black raspberry and leather saddle introduce this spicy, savory blend of Grenache and Syrah. It's fresh in fruit but rounded and supple on the palate, with a warming finish edged by fine, feathery tannins."

James Suckling "A fruity, polished red with creamy tannins and softness and attractiveness that makes you want to drink it. It’s medium-to full-bodied with round tannins and a delicious finish." (2018 vintage)

The Winemaker "The delicately oaky nose offers up aromas of sweet spices which subtly mingle with notes of blackberry and blackcurrant. On the palate, there is a concentration of aromas underpinned by pronounced, yet lovely smooth, tannins." (2016 vintage)

Wine Enthusiast "Pristine blackberry and blueberry flavors are rich and mouthfilling in this ripe yet freshly composed wine. It's straightforward and fruity but hints of bramble and earth lend nuance. The moderately long finish is framed by fine, delicate tannins." (2015 vintage)

Beacon Wine "This is an old-world style medium-bodied wine with good fruit balanced by more peppery spice. It has a lightly oaked influence that allows the fruit to shine through. The fine grained tannins are engaging and keep you coming back for another sip." (2015 vintage)

The Guide Hachette des Vins (referenced in the above) is France's best-selling, and one of France's oldest wine guides. Considered France's most authoritative wine guide and commonly referred to as the bible of the French wine industry. This wine has received consistent star ratings for multiple vintages from this prestigious authority.

Grenache noir (50%) Syrah (50%)

This wine comes from parcels selected from the finest terroirs of the southern Rhône Valley Region, extending from Montélimar to Nîmes. The Grenache and Syrah vines are planted on clay-limestone plains which are particularly well exposed and are managed to obtain a yield of around 40 hl/ha.

The grapes are entirely de-stemmed and placed in temperature-controlled vats to macerate for around 18 days during which time only pumping-over operations are carried out. 50% of the wine is aged in vat, and 50% in 450L barrels previously used for 1 or 2 vintages, for a period of 12 months, before being blended with the vat-aged wine.

Originally from Bordeaux, the Lavau family has been involved with winemaking for generations, and have had vineyards ranging from Bordeaux to Tunisia. In 1964 they were seduced by the richness and quality of the Provencal soil, and settled down to make wine in the Rhone Valley.

The cellars of Lavau are currently managed by Benoit and Frederic Lavau, who work in partnership with 350 different grape growers. Benoit is a frequent visitor to Singapore and Pop Up Wine events.