Even though I stocked up on a few bottles of Padre Pedro, a delicious Portuguese bargain, I had to mix things up a little bit before I got tired of it.
I did find over the week-end another nice red.
From Calvet-Thunevin, this Cuvee Constance (2004) is a Vin de Pays des Cotes Catalanes.
Before partnering with local man Jean-Roger Calvet, Jean-Luc Thunevin (his Blog is in French) was the man behind 'garage' Bordeaux Chateau Valandraud, a St Emilion Grand Cru.
For Calvet-Thunevin wines, they source the grapes in and around the village of Maury.
Cuvee Constance is 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Carignan according to the US distributor, European Wine Cellars.
Since the vineyards are located on steep and arid terraces, the grapes get a lot of sun which must be for something in the 15% alcohol tag. It is also what allows this red to stand its ground, rich definitely it is.
The US back label provides little detail on this Southern beauty.
In her October 2006 review, Jancis Robinson writes "Cuvee Constance is made from roughly equal parts of old Grenache and Carignan", she mentions that the much more detailed UK back label "suggests that we drink it with roast lamb, roquefort or before a chocolate dessert – the first time I have seen a wine specifically recommended as an introduction rather than a complement to a dish"
I paid $14 for it.
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