Pierre Graffeuille Odyssee 2017

A voyage between the Médoc and the Rhône Valley

Odyssée is a wine that invites oenophiles the opportunity to step back in time and experience the best Bordeaux and the Rhône Valley have to offer.  Imagine the elegance of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Médoc, coupled with the rustic charm of Grenache from Gigondas and other Rhône varieties such as Syrah and old vine Counoise.  Though blending the varietals from two appellations that couldn’t appear to be more different  seems like a wild idea – especially with all the viticultural laws in France -  it was a surprisingly common practice before the advent of winemaking technology. In the early 1900s, vignerons from Bordeaux often used percentages of Syrah from the Northern Rhône to add concentration and power to their blends.  Odyssée is a passion project from two great vignerons – Pierre Graffeuille of legendary Second Growth Léoville Las Cases and Matthieu Dumarcher.  Matthieu brings his extensive knowledge as a natural wine producer in the Rhône Valley, creating some of the most interesting low intervention wines to date.  It is without a doubt, a match made in heaven. 

Pierre Graffeuille and Matthieu Dumarcher have been friends since high school.  This lasting partnership, fueled by a passion for the vine, led to the creation of the Rhône Project and the flagship wine – Odyssée. Both Matthieu and Pierre dreamed of creating a beautiful wine that married both terroirs from the Rhône and Haut Médoc.  Initially Odyssée used Syrah from the Northern Rhône in the blend with Cabernet Sauvignon from the Haut Médoc in its inaugural 2015 vintage.  Though both the Rhône Valley and the Médoc are separated by a great distance, the varietals local to each area go fantastically well together.  Each vintage of Odyssée is a harmonious union of both the energy and tannin from rustic Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon, coupled with the charm and drinkability of Southern Rhône Valley wines.  Interestingly enough, the addition of Counoise - a very old and nearly forgotten varietal - is specific to the 2017 vintage.  This varietal adds freshness, floral sophistication and just a touch of spice to this stunning wine. 

The Bordeaux Vines are grown in the heavily drained, deep gravel soils of the Médoc between the Margaux, Pauillac, and Saint-Julién appellations.  Pierre brings his extensive knowledge as a vigneron working for Léoville Las Cases.  Conversely, the Rhône vines are grown in a portion of the Rhône between the Châteauneuf de Pape and Gigondas AOCs.  They thrive in the clay-limestone terraces, receiving heat from the signature galets that are synonomous with the Châteauneuf de Pape AOC.  The process for making Odyssée is all about the ethos of a, “double vintage.”  Both Matthieu and Pierre understand that a great year in the Médoc does not necessarily equate to a great year in the Northern Rhône, and vice versa.  Each year, only the best lots are chosen to produce an appellation-less great terroir wine, and a mere 6,983 bottles were produced for the 2017 vintage.  The wine is aged in French barrels and carefully integrated with the oak as not to compete with the fruity qualities of the Rhône varietals. Odyssée is truly a special project, capturing both the treasures of the Rhône and Médoc. 

"A blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Grenache, and 8% Counoise, the 2017 Odyssée is medium garnet in color, offering youthfully muted glimpses at kirsch, raspberry preserves and boysenberries scents, leading to fragrant notes of potpourri, cardamom, bouquet garni and fennel seed. The medium to full-bodied palate (14.5% alcohol) is softly textured, with compelling restraint and plenty of freshness, finishing long and perfumed." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate (7/22/2021), Ratings: 92+, Drink: 2022-2038

"More spice, dried flowers, incense, tobacco, and both red and black fruits emerge from the 2017 Odyssée. The normal blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Grenache, and 8% Counoise, the tannins are slightly coarser, but it has a wonderful core of sweet fruit. Give this ripe, sexy, yet still elegant and ethereal red a year or two of bottle age and drink it over the following 7-8 years." - Jeb Dunnuck (12/14/2020), Ratings: 92

"Sweet black fruits, cinnamon and a kick of fig and garrigue make this a deliciously approachable wine. The tannins of Grenache and Cabernet are a good match for each other, and the addition of Cournoise in this vintage is welcome in adding an extra level of freshness and distinction. 2017 was also a more successful vintage in the Rhône than Bordeaux, and the rich fruit and depth of the wine overall is clear. 3.56pH. From the winemaking pairing of Pierre Graffeuille of Léoville Las Cases and Matthieu Dumarcher, organic Côtes du Rhône specialist." - Jane Anson, Decante (8/27/2020), Ratings: 93