TN: 2007-2008 Font de Michelle - CdP - Great wines!

[HarryKaris]

Domaine Font de Michelle is located in Bèdarrides close to Vieux Telegraphe and it was the first time I visited them.
With 27 ha within the Châteauneuf-du-Pape and 21 in the Côtes du Rhône appellation, it’s a properly sized domain. Since 2003-2004 young generation Guillaume and Bertrand Gonnet are in charge. Two very open minded young men with an eager to learn and experiment.

Three red and 2 white Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are produced.
The 2007 regular red is made from 70% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and 10% Cinsault – aged in foudres. A well structured lush wine with plenty of fruit and nice garrigue - ready for early drinking or 5-year aging.
Cuvee Etienne Gonnet consists of 70% very old Grenache and equal parts of Syrah and Mourvèdre. Part of the wine (including Grenache) is aged in small oak barrels and demi-muids. This wine show enormous depth and power

For the 2007 vintage they created – as several winemakers did – a new cuvee named Elegance de Jeanne, made from 108-year-old Grenache vines at the pebbly la Crau (southern part). Only 1300 bottles are made.
This wine reveals great purity and richness with a climaxing intensity. Thick and very concentrated with creamy licorice and black chocolate. Long finish….
Although the wine is already bottled they will not release this cuvee earlier than in summer.

The white 2008 has a very good freshness with nice pear and citrus fruit.
Not in the lush and rich 2007 style but more close to 2004 and 2006.

Cuvee Etienne Gonnet Blanc is made from 50% Roussanne, 25% Clairette and 25% Grenache Blanc. A darned good wine, balanced with elegance from the Roussanne, lush aroma’s form the Clairette and good freshness from the Grenache.

2008 red samples were among the best I tasted in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Amazingly well concentrated with plenty of fruit, balanced tannin and acidity. Very low 20 hl/ha yield with some parts just 10 hl/ha.

In general a very impressive range with high quality wines……..

[DavidG]

Their Etienne Gonnet hits the sweet spot for me, Harry.