Jean-Louis Chave Sélection "Mon Coeur" Côtes du Rhône, France 2021

"Mon Coeur" is produced from about 50/50 Grenache and Syrah (the percentages vary according to the vintage).

Jean Louis Chave sources the fruit for this wine from some of the finest vineyards in the Southern Rhône: Vinsobres, Visan, Buisson, and Estargues. For Domaine Chave excellence at a much more approachable price tag, look no further than JL Chave Selections.

The wine is true Chave, but in a different register, more like Châteauneuf than Hermitage, and for a fraction of the price. A strong mineral component comes across without effort on this very fine red. "Mon Coeur" is fruit-forward and peppery, marked by notes of black fruits, game, and briny olives.

Jean-Louis devotes as much time to his wines under the "selection" label as he does to the domaine wines (if not more) — and it shows. Their quality is a testament to his belief in those appellations and the need to champion a wide range of wines from a region.