Château les Quatre Filles Cairanne 2005

Born during a renowned vintage, the 2005 Château les Quatre Filles Cairanne possesses more than its normal share of power and majesty. Made from 55% Grenache and 45% Syrah, it sports a typically saturated ruby robe flecked with purple and oodles of flavor. In bouquet it mingles scents of blackberry, plum, cocoa, pepper and spice. And on the palate, the 2005 Château les Quatre Filles further works its magic, offering up a smorgasbord of fruit flavors, earth tones, and spice. Although full-bodied, this comely Cairanne is also supremely textured and finishes with both style and majesty. However, before consuming we suggest giving this powerful, long lived wine at least 30-40 minutes of aeration as it opens slowly and builds to a rollicking crescendo. Salut!

What do you serve with the 2005 Château les Quatre Filles Cairanne? How about almost all types of grilled meats, stews, or Provencal cheeses? Lamb kebobs, barbecued beef ribs with grilled vegetables, stuffed quail, and pork barbecue provide especially fine accompaniments to this special Rhône wine. However, braised pork shoulder with turnips and roasted root vegetables might be our favorite entrée with this wine. For simple, mid week meals, consider serving a moderately charged chili with meat or a terrine with plenty of crusty bread and some authentic Provencal cheese. Goat, sheep, and cows’ milk cheeses all offer superb companionship at the end of a meal to help finish a bottle of this heady wine. Enjoy!

Château les Quatre Filles is a certified organic estate in the illustrious Côtes du Rhône village of Cairanne. Romain and Vincent Flesia are the present family guardians of this impeccably run 55 hectare property that is named in honor of Romain and Vincent’s mother Nicole and her three sisters. Although the name is relatively contemporary, the family has been making wine at this site since 1715. As is the case at most great Rhône estates, red wine predominates (95% of production) at Château les Quatre Filles, and Grenache, Syrah, and ancient Carignan vines yield the grapes of choice The estate’s Cairanne and Rochegude offerings constitute the pinnacle of production at Château les Quatre Filles and should not be missed.

Cairanne is one of the oldest villages of the Vaucluse, the picturesque southeastern sector of Provence known for its exceptional red Côtes du Rhône wines. Founded in the 8th century, Cairanne continues to enjoy a rich oenological history based upon the longstanding quality of its savory, full-bodied wines. The red wines of Cairanne are made primarily from local clones of Grenache and Syrah. And by all accounts they rank among the finest viticultural wares of the Vaucluse, which includes the illustrious wines of nearby Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, and Vacqueyras. The tiny village of Cairanne produces one of the most majestic but least known red wines of Provence. Moreover, many of this commune’s wines are made from organic grapes, including the exceptional 2005 Château les Quatre Filles Cairanne. The top estates of Cairanne turn out small quantities of rich powerful wine of superb texture that is capable of ageing for a decade or more.