Guillaume Gonnet CDR Reveur Rouge 23

Guillaume and Kelly Gonnet are long-time friends of the AWM, and their Bird wines have been a staple at the shop for the last ten-plus years. AWM customers know that when the label reads Guillaume Gonnet and has a bird on it, the wine in the bottle will be delicious! It was a joy to have Guillaume here for our June wine dinner, and along with Guillaume, his wines were the star of the evening.

Guillaume and Kelly Gonnet are long-time friends of the AWM, and their Bird wines have been a staple at the shop for the last ten-plus years. They have an incredible passion for Rhône varietals, and I'm beyond delighted that year after year, we can share their love in Western North Carolina. 

Guillaume comes from a long line of celebrated winemakers and viticulturists and has been deeply influenced by his family's lengthy legacy in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Guillaume's wife, Kelly, adds a unique and imaginative perspective to the mix, shaped by her Australian background in the New World. They collaborated to create the Bird Wines, combining Old and New World inspirations while balancing classic Rhône tradition with innovation.

Côtes du Rhône appellated wines consistently deliver remarkable quality, happily at very approachable prices compared to their prestigious neighbors like Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. These wines, produced across a vast swath of the Rhône's diverse landscape, benefit from an array of soils—including limestone, clay, and the famed galets roulés. These large, rounded stones enhance warmth retention and drainage, keeping the vines cozy in the evenings of cooler months.

The diverse geology of the Rhône Valley, along with its warm Mediterranean climate, produces grapes that yield bold, expressive flavors with a gorgeous minerality. This remarkable confluence of elements yields wines that are structured yet remain approachable, offering both depth and balance.

In your glass, Guillaume Gonnet Le Reveur Rouge offers vibrant aromas of red and dark fruit, layered with touches of baking spice and the region's hallmark notes of garrigue. On the palate, it captures Guillaume's deft balance of refinement and energy, presenting deep flavors of ripe black cherry, blackberry, and plum, interwoven with subtle notes of black pepper, licorice, and a whisper of lavender.

Le Reveur Rouge shines alongside a range of cuisine, from slow-cooked lamb and grilled meats to heartwarming stews. Its lively acidity and elegant fruit profile also make it a fantastic match for grilled chicken, burgers, pizza, roasted vegetables, mushroom risotto, or a rich eggplant parmesan. It's an amazingly versatile red that's equally at home at the table or on the porch.