bressy-Masson — rasteau

                  “One of the up-and-coming estates from Rasteau … deserve[s] serious attention” — Robert Parker, Jr.

Côtes du Rhone 2009
An exceptional Côtes — Big black fuits on the nose, blackberry and black cherry on the highly extracted palate, no oak, jsut smooth ripe fruit, excellent balance and very, very good length. Hot alcohol (15%) so decant. 70% Grenache; 20% Carignan; 10% Syrah.
Rasteau-Villages 2009
Lovely, big ripe fruit nose, black cherry and griotte on the palatte, huge extraction, very, very good length. A second lot of this quickly sold-out wine is 'in the country'.
Rasteau Cuvée La Souco d'Or 2009
Decanter says, "Youthfully promising cassis, cherry, earth, tar and bitter chocolate nose. Full-bodied, powerful, dark, plump and juicy fruit. Lovely length. Drink 2010-12. (15.8 points)"
Released in time for a Valentine's Day glass: In our glasses it was hot and powerful (15% alc.). Once the heat burned off it was dark and deep with classic Rasteau violets on the nose. Luscious, intense black fruits and on the palate with a very bright structure that finishes very, very long, slowly vanishing to a warm spot near the front of the tongue. A massive charmer that wants to be laid down -- but otherwise, decant an hour or two.
Rasteau Cuvée Paul Emile 2007
“velvety tannins are well-displayed in this super-concentrated inky/blue/black-colored effort. Dense, full-bodied, mouth-filling and substantial, this is a brawy, blockbuster southern Rhone fruit bomb that should age effortlessly for a decade or more.” Rating 90-93 (Robert Parker Jr. The Wine Advocate).
Rasteau "A la Gloire de Mon Père" 2003
Gorgeous nose of dark cherry, other black fruits and smoke, carries to the palate with generous fruit, a hint of peach on finale, wonderful finesse, excellent structure, very complex. ***** (JPO/DMO Rasteau June 2007)
Recently tasted (Jan 2012) This bottle is now drop-dead gorgeous, well-aged Rasteau. Puts us very much in mind of Colliure/Banyuls at this age. So wonderful to drink wine that is truly 'ready' — you won't want to go back to those hot young things anymore. Limited stock!

Marie-France Masson owns 34 hectares of superb vineyards in Rasteau featuring 100+ year-old vines and she and husband Thierry follow a winemaking approach that is respectful of the terroir. Recently, their son Paul-Emile has formally joined the Domaine after completing his degree and article in oenelology. They make exceptionally rich and concentrated wines from old-vine Grenache and Syrah. Rasteau has long been one of our favorites from the group of southern Rhône-Villages. Recently the village was granted 'Cru' status (a la Gigondas) and new vintages will proudly proclaim simply: RASTEAU!