Agly Brothers Cotes du Roussillon 2003 Friday, Aug 31 2007
Tasting Notes and France and Languedoc and Variety and Red and other reds
This wine is listed on the Chapoutier website but I noted that the capsule has the names Corinne et Michel Chapoutier and Elva et Ron Laughton (of Jasper Hill) on it; it must be a joint venture of some sort, but I cannot find any mention of it. And yes, it is a slightly weird name, but the vineyards are located on the slopes in the upper reaches of the Agly valley. My wife actually read the label as the “Ugly Brothers”. Sheessssssh.
A blend of 60% Carignan, 20% Grenache and 20% Syrah. A masculine nose, a bit meaty, red and black cherries, and loincloth of goat hide. The palate showed lovely savoury red fruits, plums more than cherries, blackness, and again some animal hide. Soft tannins and a slippery mouthfeel make it terrifyingly drinkable.
Rated : 90 Points
Tasted : Aug07
Alcohol : 14.5%
Price : $33.99
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2007 - 2010
Source : Boccaccio Cellars
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10 Responses to “Agly Brothers Cotes du Roussillon 2003”
August 31st, 2007 at 8:01 am
It’s a Laughton/Chapoutier joint venture. “La Pleiade” Heathcote shiraz is the Australian version.
August 31st, 2007 at 8:50 am
Lincoln, what is Carignan? It is similar to any other ‘mainstream’ variety. Forgive my lack of French desoir (or something like that)….
August 31st, 2007 at 8:54 am
Check out this link:
http://www.terroir-france.com/wine/carignan.htm
August 31st, 2007 at 9:51 am
Also known as Cariñena, Carinyena or Mazuelo in Spain. Apparently it was crossed with cabernet to produce Ruby Cabernet…
August 31st, 2007 at 9:56 am
And that was a storming success, wasn’t it?
August 31st, 2007 at 10:31 am
Does anyone still grow Ruby Cabernet? I remeber seeing it around rutherglen years ago, maybe in goes into port now days?
August 31st, 2007 at 11:50 am
Aus. 2006 Vintage 29 000 Tonnes. Ruby Cab.
Never forget a wine educators conference grand dinner about ten years or so ago. Cost a fair whack from memory, and we sat down to find bottles of a commercial ruby cabernet blend plonked (pun intended) in the middle of the table. Needless to say the bar was apporoached to rectify the situation.
Carignan is much more interesting.
August 31st, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Penfolds used it in the Rawson’s red blend for a while and it was in the Queen Adelaide red as well from memory.
August 31st, 2007 at 3:54 pm
I really didn’t like this wine, but I haven’t tried it for about 6 months. Maybe I should go back to the 4 other bottles I bought on Spec and see if it has come around.
Cheers
May 15th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
2003 Agly is drinking very well as of May 2008, subdued but exciting nose of that slightly feral French pong, herbs, spice and minerality with a tiny touch of dare I say bret. The palate is soft yet fulfilling, bright red fruits and black cherries upfront backed by a little hint of charred meaty bits. Herbal edge is complimentary.
Tried this against 2004 De Bortoli Estate Shiraz - the De Bortoli seemed a lot simpler in comparison. My girlfriend preferred it over the Agly so I was very happy to leave it to her and I went froggy - Tres Bon.