Tasting Château Meunier Saint-Louis A Capella 2003

Here's an amazing bargain which I'm a bit late in posting considering I had bought a case and then finished most of it in the busy proceedings leading up to WBW 33: Mid-priced Midi.

At under $20 Canadian, the Château Meunier Saint-Louis A Capella Corbières 2003 definitely fits the bill, if you can find it. The new 2005 cuvées have come in and are replacing the old stock. The SAQ is raising its price by about a dollar. Still a wine that is quite ripe for discovery.

Eyes: Deep purple with a bright nearly neon magenta rim.

Nose: Muted and non-descript at first sniff. (Actually I didn't note anything down but that could be because I headed straight to the tasting.)

Mouth: Chocolaty, but dark and rooty, like a rooibos tea. The fruit presents an interesting vegetal edge, suggesting celery, earth, mineral and tomato. Great structure and nice acid -- I think I can safely say that I've never liked a Midi red from the 2003 vintage as much as I like this one. That it is so elegantly dry is a no small wonder during the year of the heatwave. It has good body and a lovely aftertaste. This wine is a fine specimen and with an admirable level of extraction that supports the dynamics of the wine.

(Lots of notes made here. Why am I such a mouthy blogger?)

Stomach: Because of the extraction and inky but balanced concentration of flavours, I'd serve this with your finest repasts. Perhaps opt for meals that possess the fullest, most heightened flavours. (When placed alongside other top Corbières, A Capella demonstrates that it is of another calibre -- don't let it do the same thing to your food!)

The wine makers have put out a real steal of a deal and wonderful and rich addition to the dinner table.

Martine & Philippe Pasquier-Meunier, Saint-Louis, Boutenac, France. 13.5%.