Deep ruby color; black fruit, cherry, plum on the nose; black cherry, plum, raspberry, sweet oak, vanilla, chocolate fudge on the palate.
Dry; lush, velvety in the mouth. Forty percent of the wine is aged in oak, giving this its sweet oak and vanilla notes. Medium body. Blend of 48% syrah, 37% mourvèdre, 8% grenache, and 7% carignan. Reserved tannins; enough acidity to keep it fresh and clean; smooth and delicious with excellent, fruity finish; 14.5% ABV.
Rhône-style blend of syrah, grenache, mourvèdre, and carignan from Rothschild’s operations in the Languedoc. The vineyards date back more than 2,000 years. In 92 CE, Emperor Domitius ordered the uprooting of the vines to protect Roman production. Winemaking revived in the Middle Ages, with various abbeys controlling the area until 1790 when all the Church holdings were confiscated and private owners took over the vineyards.
The vineyards were expanded at the end of the 19th century, especially with the decline in production elsewhere caused by the phylloxera crisis. Fortunes changed again in the 1950s as the quality and reputation of the Languedoc suffered from over-production and concentration of cheap table wine. That began to change at the end of the 20th century.
Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) acquired property in Corbières in 1999. Estate buildings were restored and a new winery was installed over the old cellars, in the heart of the vineyard. Today the Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) operation is regarded as one of the leaders of the Languedoc revival. The Lafite Rothschild magic wine touch is vividly evident in this effort.
Château d’Aussières Corbières, Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) 2016 has depth, finesse, and fruity intensity. Smooth and rounded easy drinker. Very pleasing pour at very reasonable price for wine of this outstanding quality. Pair with leaner beef cuts; beef stew; roast beef; cold cuts; barbecue; chicken; pizza; wild game; grilled tuna; wide range of cheeses—blue, Swiss, gouda, emmental, and more. $30-33
