Domaine Gautier "Fitou", 1998

[hotwine]

Picked this up as one of the retailer's specials of the week at only $9.99, and decided to try it this evening with oak-grilled Charolais T-bones. Sipped on it as the logs burned down to a good bed of coals before adding the steaks. Non-filtered. Nose of ripe cherries and blackberries; confirmed on the palate; nice mouthfeel with no trace of bitterness; soft, very pleasing finish. Blend isn't specified, but Larousse states that the grapes used in Fitou are those common to the Midi, including Carignan, Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah or Mourvedre.

It went very nicely with the T's from the young steer. Only bought three bottles; hope there will still be more available on Monday!

Listed this under Bordeaux but note that this is actually a Fitou wine. Fitou is a tiny appellation on the southern edge of the Corbieres.

[This message has been edited by hotwine (edited 02-24-2001).]

[This message has been edited by hotwine (edited 02-24-2001).]

[winoweenie]

For Shame on you Hotsie, gettin' me in this-here thread under falsepitou-postings. WW

[hotwine]

A follow-up on the Fitou: Vacu-vin'd maybe a third of the bottle and placed in the fridge overnight, hoping to sip the next evening. Big mistake! More like pit-tou - turpentine!