Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Gabriel Meffre ‘Saint Mapalis’ Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu 2023
Rhône Valley, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A classic Southern Rhône red blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre (GSM), sourced from the stony, sun-drenched vineyards of the Plan de Dieu appellation within the Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC. This cuvée honors Saint Mapalis, a local figure tied to Rhône’s viticultural heritage.

Aromas & Flavors
Opens with enticing blackberry, plum, and licorice, layered with earthy garrigue and touches of black pepper and spice. A hint of dried herbs and violets rounds out the aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is juicy and approachable, carrying dark berry fruit through to a smooth finish.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, soft, and balanced, with silky tannins and a gentle persistence. Shows freshness alongside its ripe fruit core, making it both food-friendly and enjoyable on its own.

Winemaking Notes
Vinified traditionally with careful extraction to highlight fruit and terroir, then aged to round out tannins. Designed for youthful drinking while retaining Rhône typicity.

Food Pairing
Excellent with roast chicken, grilled lamb, charcuterie, and Provençal herb dishes. Its balance of fruit and spice also works well with pizza or casual Mediterranean fare.

Verdict
A lovely value-driven Rhône blend—expressive, soft, and versatile. It feels more expensive than it is and showcases the charm of Plan de Dieu’s terroir. — 2 months ago

Zain

9.5

Excellent wine. Dark red fruit hint of tobacco and spices. — 8 months ago

Jenny

9.0

A bit creamy — 3 years ago

AEL

9.0

Bright, tasty Brunello, slightly sweeter than the norm. Had at the winery with dinner, Jen and Dave. Agriturismo near Trequanda. — 3 months ago

Henri Lefèvre

9.1

Un bon blanc pour accompagner les huîtres de la cousinade ! — 5 months ago

Darci Londo

9.1

Medium-light body with cherry notes, excellent with food or enjoyed alone. Made by a mother and her daughters. Delicious. — 9 months ago

Amanda Burton

8.9

Serviceable. Heavier than my usual every day CDR. — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2018 “Il Rosso delle Donne” pours a garnet color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart, mostly red fruits: Morello cherry, raspberries, strawberry, roses, a whiff of horse blanket, red rope licorice, dried green herbs, and dry gravel. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is a slightly wild but positively gorgeous example of a Nebbiolo-based blend from Alto Piemonte. There’s an old school feel about this that completely charms the heart. Too bad there is so little of it: the entire Boca DOC has less than 50 acres planted to vine. Castello Conti only made 3912 bottles of this gem. Drink now through 2048+. — 3 months ago

Steven Beishuizen

8.9

On the nose, this is subtle cranberry... On the palate, it's cranberry, cherry, red plum... Dense tannin here but no sharp edges... A tinge on graphite here too, but in the distance... The whole package seems soft... Not so complex overall. Medium-long length on the finish. Nice. — 6 months ago

with Anita

Jason Sliwa

9.2

Rich and elegant. Such a nice find in an excellent wine list. — 4 years ago