Today was hard. After chasing around 8 month old twins, I deserve a glass of wine. So I went to open my wine cabinet and looked sadly upon the minimal options. Note to self: buy wine. I reluctantly grabbed the 2011 Crozes-Hermitage from Brunel de la Gardine. I was reluctant only because I was hoping to save it for a slightly more special occasion, not to mention a more impressive food pairing. But oh well…
The bottle: 2011 Crozes-Hermitage Brunel de la Gardine
The food: Homemade broccoli and chicken noodle soup
The Vino
Brunel’s Cotes-du-Rhone (Grenache based blend) is one of my go-to favourites. So I knew its sister wine, the Crozes-Hermitage, was going to be a solid sip. Made from 100% Syrah, I waited just the right amount of time to open this 2011 vintage. As soon as I uncorked this gem, I was transported to the south of France (hellooooo dream vacation). I envisioned the rolling vineyards, the rustic farm houses and the orange sunsets.
The colour was deep burgundy. It’s the colour of wine you’d see a villain drinking out of a goblet in a medieval-era movie. I almost let out a ‘mwa-ha-ha-ha’ after taking my first sip. Except villains don’t take sips. They take gulps, and then they yell at their servants before throwing the goblet into a stone fireplace. I digress…
The colour was deep burgundy. It’s the colour of wine you’d see a villain drinking out of a goblet in a medieval-era movie. I almost let out a ‘mwa-ha-ha-ha’ after taking my first sip. Except villains don’t take sips. They take gulps, and then they yell at their servants before throwing the goblet into a stone fireplace. I digress…
This wine is immensely elegant with subtle black fruit aromas. The sip was smooth, I didn’t want it to end, and it didn’t. I tasted ripe cherries and raspberries, there was nothing harsh or jarring about it. The smooth robust flavours lingered for an eternity. It made me want to take another gulp, and another, and another.
I drank it alongside my soup and had never wished more for a big juicy piece of steak . I wanted so much for my food pairing to work, but this wine deserved something much more. If I ever manage to get my hands on another bottle I will know better.