Winery	PH Bourchard & Cie
Region	Cotes Du Rhone, France
Vintage	2006
Type	Red
Grape Varietals	Grenache
Retail Price	$26.50
Rating	6.5/10

So much was heard about French Burgundy and Rhone valley wine having a better vintage year than the Bordeaux in 2006. This was coupled by rumours that 2006 was a better drinkers year than 2005 in terms of price and early accessibility. To leisure drinkers like myself it worthwhile to venture into the ‘06 vintage to stock up some good bargains of instant drinkable wine without having to waste a quarter of my life to see my wine mature.   

Since my taste bud was yearning for a change, it was a good time for me to move east away from Bordeaux to Rhone Valley. After scouring around Carrefour wine (trying hard to refrain myself from walking into the Bordeaux cellar), I quickly zoomed on to PH Bouchard & Cie Cotes Du Rhone 2006 ($26.50) which my bargain radar was frantically beeping away.

Of course, under the hands of a hungry red blood drinker, PH Bouchard & Cie 2006 met with a swift deportation from Carrefour straight to my drinking buddy’s home with a party of fried chicken wings and fries (which we earlier subdued) welcoming the special guest.

As my buddy anxiously pops open the wine, it quickly hit my nose with scent of sexy perfume that envelopes characters of huge ripe fruits even from a distance where I stood. Our initial tasting was greeted by some bold and fiery zestiness. After an hour of decanting, this bright purplish claret did tamed a little. This time ripe blackcherry fruits, mocha and spices became more pronounced. Finishing was moderate, with mixed hints of chalkiness detected that turns into prominent chocolate flavours on the palate.

This wine paired well with our fried chicken and fries as sips of the wine reduced the oily mouth-feel sensation. It also blended exceptional well with the chili sauce without its flavours being drowned out or overwhelming the entire tasting.

Good wine to have that is below $30 price range if you fancy spicy aromatic wine. Oh, speaking about that reminds me of Cline Ancient Vines Carignane 2004.

Tasting Notes:

Scent of sexy perfume that envelopes characters of huge ripe fruits. Greeted by some bold and fiery zestiness during initial tasting. After decanting, this bright purplish claret evolves into a tamer, intense ripe cherry fruits flavour with mocha and spices that unfolds. Lengthy finishing with hints of chalkiness detected that turns into surprising prominent chocolates flavours on the palate.

Food Pairing:

• Spicy food like hearty curry or oily food such as fried chicken.

Drinkability:

• Ready. Decant for 1 hour before drinking if you prefer lesser spiciness.

Available At:

• Carrefour Suntec