Description
Cherche Midi, Rouge
There are probably quite a few subscribers out there who wonder why we don’t offer more wines at this price point (or lower). I’ll give you a frank answer: Because most of the wines we taste in this price tier are not special. When we decide to feature a wine in a Daily Offer, it has to be special, and only very rarely do we encounter a wine like Cherche Midi—a wine that draws the distinction between the words “cheap” and “value” as clearly as anything I’ve tasted. Cherche Midi is sourced from organically farmed vineyards in the village of Montfrin, right at the intersection of the Southern Rhône and the Languedoc, and with 60% Syrah driving the blend, it offers up more aromatic nuance and mineral depth than I thought was possible at this price point.
The 100-hectare vineyard (along with a 100-hectare olive grove) at Château de Montfrin was planted in the early ’90s by native son Jean-René de Fleurieu, a well-known filmmaker and the co-founder of the fashion brand Agnés B. But this is not a “celebrity wine.” This is a true passion project, one that was organic from the jump and focused intently on creating affordable wines with real soul. “Cherche Midi,” or “noon-seeker,” is a colloquial term for a person who likes to wrangle invitations to free lunches, and this wine is styled, and priced, to encourage easy-going conviviality. Whether you’re the host or the guest, Cherche Midi has you well-covered. Stock up!
Located about 20 kilometers southwest of Avignon, the town Montfrin is in an interesting spot—right on the fringe of the Costières de Nimes AOC, the southernmost of the Rhône Valley wine appellations.
Several of Montfrin’s closest neighbors, in fact, are among the 24 communes that make up the Costières de Nimes catchment area, but the precision of appellation boundaries is such that the Cherche Midi wines carry a simple “Pays d’Oc” IGP designation. Traversed by the Gardon River, a Rhône tributary, and not far from the Rhône itself, Montfrin has a classic “alluvial” (river-borne) soil structure comprised of sand, silt, and pebbles.
Jean-René de Fleurieu’s son, Aurore, is now the proprietor at Château de Montrin. With the help of vineyard manager Benjamin Beguin, he launched the Cherche Midi line (there is also a white and a rosé) in 2019. Today’s wine was entirely sourced from organically farmed vines in a site called “Les Blés,” which is located on a low-lying plateau. Fermentation and aging both took place in stainless steel tanks in order to preserve the fresh fruit character and yield a wine that is enjoyable upon release. Much to our surprise (and delight), the wine showed as much Rhône Valley nerve and minerality as it did saturated Languedoc fruit. It’s an easy-drinking wine, but a thought-provoking one, too.
Combining 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, Cherche Midi Rouge boasts a youthful ruby-purple core in the glass. Immediately after pouring (no need to decant), you will be greeted by youthful and vibrant aromas of dark berries, red cherries, dried herbs and soft spices. Flavors of ripe raspberries, cracked black pepper, and dried herbs compliment the medium body and supple mouthfeel. Serve it on the slightly cooler side around 60°F in Bordeaux stems, and prepare for a bottle that disappears far too quickly. The wine is perfect for an autumn picnic, a fun dinner party, or a casual midweek meal. And don’t forget lunch!
