Pierre Graffeuille Odyssee 2018

Special Price $39.95 Average US Price $40.00
In Stock   Usually ships in 2-5 days, weather permitting
Only 11 left
SKU
5459-2018
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Other Vintages We Offer:

• Domaine: Pierre Graffeuille Odyssée
• Appellation.: Vin de France
• Classification: Vin de France, Vallée du Rhône, France

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. 

Tasting Notes

"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  (7/22/2021), Ratings: 95, Drink : 2023-2048

More Information
Stock Status In Stock
Appellation Vin de France
Vintage 2018
Brand Pierre Graffeuille Odyssée
Shipping Weight 3.000000

Footnotes on Futures, Pre-Arrivals, and potential US Tariffs: 

1. As of June 15, 2021, the US and the EU agreed to suspend tariffs resulting from the Boeing-Airbus aircraft trade disputes. Accordingly, such import taxes are now suspended for the next five years.

2. Futures are expected to be available for delivery two years after the sales (e.g., the 2022 vintage, sold in 2023, will be delivered in 2025 mostly, or 2026 if the producer ages the wine longer).

3. Pre-Arrivals are items currently stored in our Bordeaux cellar or in transit from France to the US. It usually takes 1-6 months for Pre-Arrivals to become available for delivery, depending on the stage of the import process.

4. Regarding futures and pre-arrivals, we cannot guarantee specific delivery dates, which factors beyond our control may impact. However, we will notify you once your wine arrives in our cellar.

5. While a buyer of Bordeaux wine futures locks in an allocation of the specified items, the final delivery of the purchased items from France to the US may be impacted by intervening and unforeseeable events. Despite our due diligence, additional costs or delays may be caused by such intervening and unforeseen events and "an irresistible, superhuman cause, or by the act of public enemies of the state of California or the United States."  In such circumstances, if a buyer does not accept unforeseeable costs or delays, the sole and exclusive remedy is a cancellation of the futures order concerned and a refund of the original purchase price. We are NOT liable for any lost profits on a canceled order.

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