Pierre Graffeuille Odyssee 2018

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. 

"Composed of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Grenache, and 7% Counoise, the 2018 Odyssée has a deep garnet color, bursting from the glass with a whole array of exotic spices notes—cumin seed, star anise, cardamom and cassia—over a core of stewed black plums, warm cassis and blackberry preserves, with hints of dark chocolate, lavender and tapenade. The full-bodied palate is jam-packed with concentrated black and blue fruits, framed by firm, rounded tannins and beautiful freshness, finishing very long with a peppery kick. A little more structured than previous vintages and with such impressive concentration, this should easily cellar 25 years or more." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate, (07/22/2021), Ratings: 95, Drink : 2023-2048

"Another great vintage for this cuvée, the 2018 Odyssée is based on 61% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Médoc and 32% Grenache and 7% Counoise all from the Southern Rhône. The Cabernet is brought up in older Léoville Las Cases barrels, with the Southern Rhône varieties brought up mostly in tank. This ruby/purple-hued beauty offers a ripe, medium to full-bodied, incredibly elegant, even classy style as well as a great array of red and black currant fruits, leafy herbs, tobacco, and peppery spice. I love the overall balance, its tannins are nicely integrated, it stays lively and fresh on the palate, and it has a great finish. Drink bottles any time over the coming decade." - Jeb Dunnuck, (08/17/2021), Ratings: 93

"Savoury fruits, fine tannins and fresh acidities, expressed with harmony and balance. I have followed this Rhone-Bordeaux wine from Pierre Graffeuille and Mathieu Dumarcher since its first vintage, and this is one of the best to date, with clear personality centred around tumeric spice and black pepper accompanying ripe blackberry and cassis fruits and fragrant garrigue." - Jane Anson, (09/03/2021), Ratings: 93