Y/M Yannick Alleno & Michel Chapoutier Cotes-du-Rhone 2020

Rhone, France

Jeb Dunnuck 90-92 points (on the 2018 vintage)

Y/M Yannick Alleno & Michel Chapoutier Cotes-du-Rhone is an enticing red wine gem of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache from the northern Rhone. It is a collaboration between a world-class winemaker and a 3-Michelin-Star chef. Michel Chapoutier is a passionate hard-working winemaker and charismatic figure from France’s Northern Rhône valley. Since taking over the business in 1990, Michel has achieved world recognition for his work of excellence and relentless search for the finest terroirs, as well as for pioneering biodynamic viticulture in the Rhône Valley before it became a trend. Yannick Alléno started working in kitchens when he was 15 years old, apprenticing under the greats of the time. He eventually won first prize in the Auguste Escoffier competition, and silver in the prestigious Bocuse d’Or in 1999, and eventually took over the kitchen at the two-star Le Meurice, where he earned a third star in 2007. Today his influential restaurants span the globe, with outposts from Paris to the Middle East and east Asia. True trailblazers in their field, they worked together to select vineyards and parcels from the prestigious appellations of Cornas, St. Joseph, St. Peray and Crozes-hermitage, with the mission and passion to produce world-class gastronomic wines from organic farming.

“From vines throughout the region and a blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah brought up all in concrete, the 2018 Côtes Du Rhône comes from a collaboration between Michel Chapoutier and 3-star Michel Chef Yannick Alleno. It has a perfumed bouquet of ripe black cherries, blackberries, garrigue, and chocolate. This carries to a medium to full-bodied Côtes Du Rhône that has a distinct saltiness, beautiful fruit, and a great finish. It seems to always over-deliver.”-Jeb Dunnuck, Barrel Sample: 90-92 points (on the 2018 vintage)

Powerful on the nose; aromas of red fruit, sweet spice and garrigue scents; medium to full-bodied wine with great power, fine tannins, great finish with licorice notes. Aged for 12 months in concrete tanks. Pair with rich poultry dishes.