2013 Maison Bleue Métis

Full Pull

• By Paul Zitarelli
  Full Pull Maison Bleue Bargain, 3/31/2017, (See more on Full Pull...)

  (Maison Bleue Metis Rouge) Hello friends. Today we have what I believe is our lowest price ever on a red wine from Maison Bleue. Lower than last year’s 2012 Metis (26.99 TPU); lower than the 2011 Jaja (also 26.99 TPU); lower even than the 2010 Jaja (24.99 TPU). It required a significant volume commitment to hit this tariff, but when it comes to Jon Meuret’s winemaking, that was never going to be a difficult decision. A Rhone blend from Jon Meuret for two sawbucks. Maybe I should just stop the offer there and hit send… or maybe not. I looked back at last year’s offer, in which I encouraged folks who usually limit their purchases to the $20-and-below set to consider a splurge. This year, I don’t even have to encourage the splurge; it’s a have-our-cake-and-eat-it kind of day. Jon Meuret built Maison Bleue’s stellar reputation for quality on the backs of his Grenaches and Syrahs. The man is simply a savant when it comes to Rhone varieties and blends. Metis is his GSM blend, and this year the proportions are 45% Grenache, 37% Syrah and 18% Mourvedre. The vineyard sourcing is outstanding as well: Boushey, Olsen, Pepper Bridge, and Minick. All that good juice spent about a year in a mix of French oak barrels and puncheons, all neutral. This clocks in at 14.3% listed alc and begins with a nose possessing real clarity; it’s just a ringing bell of Grenache especially, with its holy trinity of red fruit, mineral, and garrigue studded with wildflowers. What an expressive, alluring nose this is; an aromatic signature that immediately displays why so many of us are so fond of Jon’s winemaking, his ability to coax such piercing purity out of these Rhone varieties. The balanced, beautiful palate continues the theme. There’s a great sense of wild brambliness to the fruit, and that rich fruit is balanced by cooling mineral tones and sneaky, supple finishing tannins. This is a red chockful of character and charm, offering the kind of complexity and quality that make it an easy buy at $30 and a veritable slam dunk at today’s tag.