Chateau Potelle
Cougar Pass
Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot
Paso Robles and Napa Valley, California, USA
2005
13.5%
$15.99 -- Wine Pro, Paducah, KY
Color: Deep strawberry
Nose: Herbes de provence, sour cherries,
Body: Medium to full
Front: Cherry, raspberry
Middle: Cream, thyme
Back: Soft tannins, graham cracker
Burns clean?: Yes
Cap: Cork
It's my last night in frozen Kentucky for awhile, and this was an excellent closing bottle. It's festive, with dark fruits and herbiness, but it's also serious in body and texture, a perfect accompaniment to a steak-and-potatoes dinner.
The blend isn't unlike that of Paraduxx, and it's an intriguing combination of fruitiness with more austere ingredients. When this was first opened, for example, it had fascinating mushroominess goin' on, with a whack of currant behind it. It's not young, for a Zin-based blend, so there's some good design behind it.
Potelle's home, I think, is on Mt. Veeder in Napa, so this is a satellite product for them, but it's a good one. The label claims that the fruit is from both Paso and Napa, which is the first time I've encountered such a "freak so fair." Terroir devotees will be appalled, I suppose, so serve it to them blind.
