The LePlan Classic Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2010 is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah sourced from vineyards in the Southern Rhone Valley. The winery is owned by Dirk Vermeersch an ex-GT race car driver from Belgium. His wines are true to the Rhone Valley, but there are no Domaine this or Chateau that on the label, most of his wine labels are influenced by his racing experience. Rhone Red wines can have up to 8 different Red wine grape varietals in the blend, but Grenache and Syrah are the main grapes in the Cotes du Rhone. The wine sees no oak, fermented and aged in stainless steel vats and the alcohol content is 13%.
The color is black cherry red. The nose is dark berries, licorice, new leather jacket and light spice. This wine is ripe, rich and balanced. It starts with blackberry, cassis, a blast of orange zest and black Twizzlers (without the candy sweetness). The mid palate brings a slight rough edge from the tannins along with sweet strawberry and juicy plum. A lip smacking dose of acidity shows itself on the finish, which allows the finish to hang on and on.
The 2010 LePlan Classic really demonstrates why Grenache and Syrah compliment each other. The Grenache has a viscous, almost oily mouth feel, with slinky, lean flavor and the interesting taste of licorice running thru-out the body of the wine. The Syrah is plump and juicy, with bright flavors, a little rough edge from the tannins and maybe a touch of spice. One grape has what the other one does not and together they create something unique. The Cotes du Rhone has some of the best value priced Red wines in the world and the LePlan Classic Rouge is a wonderful example.
