2016 Domaine Alary Cairanne La Jean De Verde [WA96][JD92][WE91]

Producer: Domaine Alary Region: Rhone, France Blend: 95% Grenache, 5% Carignan Year: 2016  Wine Advocate, 96 Points  "Almost 100% Grenache and produced from low-yielding vines (approximately 25 hectoliters per hectare) at the top of the hill of Cairanne, the 2016 Cairanne la Jean de Verde is a prodigious wine. It starts with scents of crushed stone and licorice, then expands on the plate to reveal crazy intense blueberry and blackberry flavors. Medium to full-bodied, it remains fresh, zesty and vivacious on the long finish. If you can track down some of the 5,000 bottles that were made, grab them. Because of extremely low yields, there is no 2017. One of the top names in Cairanne, Domaine Alary is a must stop for fans of traditional Southern Rhône wines. There's little oak or artifice here, just impeccable farming and attention to detail in the winery. Starting with the 2016 vintage, the young Jean-Etienne Alary (Denis's son) has hit the ground running as winemaker, after having done h