Château Cabrières, “Le Petit Cabrières”

In a way, it’s a bit of a humblebrag to use the word “Petit” on this wine’s label. It’s like the beautifully put-together woman who feigns nonchalance. Oh, this little wine? We just threw it together. But make no mistake: This little wine from Château Cabrières runs circles around many grands vins costing twice and three times as much. In the spirit of more famous (and expensive) examples like Le Petit Mouton de Mouton-Rothschild, Cabrières has the history and the wherewithal to make a “Petit” wine that is anything but. I could have spared you the long preamble and simply described this 2019 as a sumptuous Châteauneuf-du-Pape in disguise, but it’s so good and such an amazing value that a little melodrama was in order. Combining Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault from 30-year-old vines and offering a vivid evocation of Southern Rhône Valley sunshine and soil, Le Petit Cabrières is one of the most impressive Southern Rhône wines I’ve tasted recently, regardless of price. I’m not surprised, mi