A smooth, complex red blend from Côtes du Rhône Villages at a tremendous price…
This Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre blend, Plan de Dieu from Domaine Le Grand Retour in Côtes du Rhône Villages offered plenty of complexity in both the nose and mouth. Ostensibly part of God’s plan—hence the name—we appreciated the smoothness of this wine, as well as the enduring finish. The complexity increased as the wine opened, suggesting it could benefit from having time to breathe prior to serving.
It paired very well with grilled filet mignon, garlic mashed potatoes, and grilled zucchini. The steak brought out the spicy, peppery notes, which we particularly enjoyed throughout the meal. We could see this blend pairing beautifully with other grilled meats, not to mention savoury dishes.
The bottle’s engraved top and embossed front added a nice touch of class. At less than $15 CAD, this Plan de Dieu represents tremendous value for the money. We look forward to purchasing another bottle, so we can cellar it for a couple years.
Rating (from 70 to 100): 90/100
Value: 5/5
The Bottle Details…
Name: Plan de Dieu
Vintage: 2013
Producer: Domaine Le Grand Retour
Region/Country: Côtes du Rhône Villages, France
Grape Varietal(s): Grenache (70%), Syrah (20%), Mourvèdre (10%)
Alcohol content: 14%
Consumed: At home
Recommended By: Picked it from the last chance bin at the LCBO
Cost: $14.95 CAD
Bottle Presentation: A classic, traditional label similar to many from the same region.
The Tasting Details…
Appearance: Deep ruby red.
Nose: A medium nose, with a complex mix of dark cherries, grilled meat, black pepper, leather, and cedar.
Taste: A dry, medium-bodied red blend, with medium, drying tannins and high acidity. In the mouth we enjoyed dark cherries, black currants, black pepper, cedar, earth, and a hint of leather.
Finish: A long, drying finish of earth and black pepper.