Gabriel Meffre

Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu

Appellation d'origine protégée

This particular terroir of round pebbles and alluvial terraces gives birth to a generous and spicy wine, typical of the Grenache grape variety. A pure pleasure with small game or ripened cheese

2017

2016

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The 2017 vintage is one of the most promissing of the past few years with wines that are particularly elegant and harmonious, with superb, concentrated aromas and a solid ageing potential. The weather conditions during the growing season were difficult and extreme, resulting in a challenging task at harvest time. The high temperatures and almost total lack of rainfall since Springtime brought the harvest date forward by almost 10 days in many regions. Although these extreme conditions impacted heavily on the size of the harvest, with one of the smallest in the last 60 years, the quality is exceptional.

Rewards

91 Wine Spectator

GOLD MEDAL - Concours des Vins d'Orange 2019

"COMMENDED" DWWA - Decanter 2018

Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu

Vintage

2017

Grape Varieties:

Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.

Terroir:

These grapes grown on large alluvial terraces (plateau des Garrigues). The subsoil is a combination of blue clay, sandstone and cobalt.

Winemaking:

The grapes are meticulously sorted, crushed and destemmed before fermentation which lasts for 3 to 5 weeks. The wine is then racked off before undergoing malolactic fermentation and spending up to 6 months in vat before bottling.

What is notable for the 2017 vintage: given the very high temperatures during the harvest period, the challenge was to preserve all the aromatic potential and freshness of the grapes. Therefore we harvested very early in the morning and were able to use cooling facilities in the cellar if the temperature of the grapes exceeded 20°C when arriving in the winery.

Vegan Friendly.

Tasting notes:

"A breezy style, with raspberry and red currant coulis notes that are nicely taut and focused, with modest spice and fruitcake accents on the finish." Wine Spectator, March 2019

Service & food pairing suggestions:

The Plan de Dieu is an ideal companion to cold cuts, gnocchis with olives, sautéed asparagus with smoked bacon and chicken breast with aromatic herbs. Enjoy it at a temperature between 16 and 18°C, now or up to 5/6 years of age.

Saint Mappalicus is the saint patron of a town called Jonquières, situated at the heart of the Plan de Dieu appellation.