JancisRobinson.com

• By Julia Harding, MW
  6/5/2010 (link)

  (Gourt de Mautens Rasteau Vin Doux Naturel Red) Subscribe to see review text.

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  3/4/2009 (link)

  (GOURT MAUTENS) Gourt Dear Friends, We offered this wine (the 2003) a few years ago and it's gone on to great acclaim. I've been impressed with everything Jerome Bressy has accomplished and his blueprint (Henri Bonneau) has paved the way for something unique. Gourt de Mautens is one of the special wines of France. It's humble Rasteau pedigree notwithstanding, Gourt remains one of the most expensive wines in the Rhone (taking appellation into account) and it's looked upon as a modern model for even the most successful CdP vintners to examine and learn from. In my opinion, the 2006 is the finest wine Bressy has made and I'm not sure he believes the 2007 is any better (it's higher in alcohol and more of a brute). Time will tell if the 2007 eclipses this but, at this early stage, there's something about the old-vine silk and breed of the 2006, stuffed into a massive (almost Northern?) but still elegant frame that is more than compelling. Even though this wine is quite dark, the Reynaud-like style of the 2006 cannot be denied and it's quite evident that late 1970's/early 1980's Rayas is Bressy's other model (he will admit this with pride - he believes Gourt de Mautens is an updated version of what Bonneau/Reynaud were trying to accomplish during their heyday). In addition, the 2006 evokes the amazing verbiage Tanzer bestowed on the 2001 version with more depth, precision and mysterious animal/Hermitage-like qualities that will make you nod your head at the achievement. Tasting this wine is a universal affair - no matter how jaded you are, it will make its mark upon you. I have no problem putting this wine up against any of the very best examples from the Rhone (north and south) - it will more than hold its own at half the price of competitive entrants (as an example, the 2004 Janasse Vielles Vignes tasted later the same day was no match for this). While not inexpensive, if produced in CdP, I'm sure this would be priced at the same level as Clos des Papes or others of that ilk: VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED This parcel is directly from the cellars at Gourt de Mautens with impeccable provenance (it is also at the lowest price I can muster): 2006 Gourt de Mautens Rasteau (Jerome Bressy) (the 2006 Rouge is very hard to find, most of what you see on the open market is Blanc or Rose') Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Rhone7680 <a href="http://garagistewine.com/oars/?rnd=[KEY]"></a>