Fruit, Spice, and Everything Nice
2006 Pierre Gaillard Côte Rôtie
Côte Rôtie at 60% Off: Pair with Lamb or Blizzards
Guigal, Vidal Fleury, Yves Cuilleron, Pierre-Jean Villa, Françoise Villard...
For someone relatively unknown outside of the Rhône Valley itself, Pierre Gaillard has an impressive resumé.
He's worked with everyone in the list above and continues a negociant project with the last three guys - James Molesworth of the Wine Spectator calls them the "four musketeers" of the Northern Rhône.
But today's offer is most decidedly not about any negociant project; it's about a robust, floral, and vivid expression of Syrah from Gaillard's own 3.3 hectares of steep-slope vines.
Today, it's also about 60% below the lowest price in the nation.
The "roasted slopes" of Côte Rôtie are not easy to work; there is little wine and much demand which explains why Côte Rôtie is rarely below $50/bottle. We negotiated very hard to secure this parcel - today we offer Pierre Gaillard's 2006 Côte Rôtie as low as $25.83 a bottle on the 6-pack.
This is a Côte-Rôtie pulsating with energy and, appropriately as we mop up after the most recent blizzard, winter-friendly flavors. The nose is exuberant, bright raspberry fruit, iron, smoke and spice notes that fill the room like you're in a ski lodge, cuddled up cozy next to a blazing hearth.
While the flavors here are pungent, Gaillard has a deft touch in the cellar and the wine maintains great energy on the palate, with the focused smokey, earthy spice flavors balanced well by a vibrant acidity and a brawny but not overly heavy mouth feel. Cherries, bacon fat, chocolate and herbs all make an appearance in the admirably long finish.
Even though the 2006 Gaillard is very good now (we'd recommend about an hour's decant), it will cellar for the next 5+ years, so stash a few away for future winters.
With the current schedule of bi-weekly blizzards for the northeast, Côte Rôtie might be the perfect foil. (Wool mittens for the palate?) Last week our readers proved they'd been having similar thoughts when a Texier Côte-Rôtie offer sold out in a matter of hours. People: Get your lamb shanks braising and enjoy February very well satiated.
Côte Rôtie is usually reserved for "special occasion" drinking only. At this pricepoint, it can be a wine to curl up with regularly for the remaining weeks of frigid temperatures and slow cooked, stick-to-your-bone winter meals.
At the $65, this is a solid expression of Côte Rôtie; at $25 this is an unprecedented deal. Warning: This will sell out quickly. We urge to place your order quickly by calling (212) 980-9463 or email us at offers@crushwineco.com.
Chris Cottrell
Fine & Rare Specialist
Crush Wine & Spirits
2006 Pierre Gaillard Côte Rôtie
Special Bottle Price: $28.95
Compare at $65!
Special 6-Pack Price: $155 ($25.83/btl)
Gaillard is in stock!
NET | No further discount