Château la Canorgue 2007 Côtes du Lubéron

*Bottle #86: Château la Canorgue 2007 Côtes du Lubéron
*Price Tag: $18
*Running Tab: $1,197
*Retailer: McCarthy & Schiering, Seattle (Queen Anne location)

2006 was a good year for Château la Canorgue. More specifically, as in with the Ridley Scott movie, “A Good Year.” That beautiful winery was the scenery for 70% of the film that was shot at la Canorgue’s idyllic property, including the 17th century château faced on the well-packaged label.

And wisely sold to me as so – I totally look like a Russell Crowe fan. So what if he’s dreamy and super angry and in a band and won lots of awards… Don’t judge me!

The movie tells the story of a young investment banker, played by Crowe, who inherits his uncle’s vineyard in Provence and château, where the gorgeous estate is made to look a run-down and bankrupt farm.

Uncle Henry’s gift to his nephew takes a turn when his allegedly illegitimate daughter and aspiring Californian wine snob shows up. The daughter has little interest in the authentically Provencal wines that could be her inheritance, which she refers to as “wimpy.” She is then put in her place by the estate’s winemaker…

Daughter: I spend summers working in a vineyard in California.
French Winemaker: In California, they don’t make wine. They make Hawaiian Punch.

SNAP! Not that I quite agree, but the winemaker’s comment is as classically French as the wine is. And this Côtes du Lubéron is far from wimpy.

Ran by Jean-Pierre and Martine Margan, the wines at la Canorgue are found to have many good years. The entire 60 acre property, including the 30+ year old vineyard within, falls into organically and biodynamically sustainable land.They grow several varieties but currently only produce a white and red Rhône style blend.

Characteristically earthy and rich in non-fruit tones, 2007 might have been an even better year for the winery. It also doesn’t hurt that this was the subsequent vintage to come out after the movie, hailing Hollywood-buffs and oenophiles alike.

And with good reason.

Meat, pepper, sweet anise and earth speak the land on the nose of this Syrah-Grenache (70%-30%, respectively) red Rhône blend. Some floral, black cherry and ripe plum notes come out after a while but I couldn’t get past the righteous braisedmeat aroma.

The wine had the depth of “funk” that makes French wine what it is and what give George Clinton the authority to rain pain in the category.

With spice and marionberry dominate on the palate, the mid has initial grip but finishes easy with softer tannins.

The boy made some rockin’ whole wheat lamb empanadas stuffed with onion, peppers and iberico cheese with a cold quinoa pasta salad and a side of greens. With the medium-bodied and meaty elegance of the wine, this is a case and point situation where food and wine are soul mates.

The food was asking for a wine with finesse and character and that is precisely what we gave it. The wine was the amiable co-star to the epicurean show.

Score: 8.5.