The Brunel family is a major player in French wine. Many other wineries envy the craftsmanship they deliver day in and day out. It all began in the aftermath of World War II. Gaston Brunel purchased Château de la Gardine in the heart of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Ultimately, the company became a pure family business. With the help of his sons, Maxime and Patrick, and their children, Marie-Odile and Philippe, Brunel became an internationally renowned name. Now, the fourth generation is eager to join the Brunel dynasty.
Le Petit Maxime Cotes du Rhone is a tribute to the son of founder Gaston Brunel. In the very beginning, they helped intensively in the vineyards; this was necessary because everything was still done by hand. This changed in the early 1950s, when the first tractor was purchased. It was the little son Maxime, aka Le Petit Maxime, who always drove the tractor through the vineyards. To keep this tradition alive, a fresh, accessible red wine was developed: Le Petit Maxime Cotes du Rhone.
Château de la Gardine is primarily known for its premium southern Rhône wines from the well-known wine villages. However, Le Petit Maxime Cotes du Rhône comes from the main vineyards of the Rhône, which are certainly no worse. It only lacks an appellation. The advantage of this is that the winemaker can do as he pleases and is not bound by regulations. This allows the Brunel family to create a delicious glass of red wine from the Cotes du Rhône.
Le Petit Maxime Cotes du Rhone is a classic blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre, commonly known as GSM. The wine is velvety smooth, with juicy red fruit dominating. However, notes of red pepper and spice are also clearly evident on the palate. It's best to chill this wine slightly to around fourteen degrees Celsius to allow the generous aromas to develop more fully.
