Kim Uncorked: Welcome to my weekly wine recommendation.
Hi, I’m Kim, a passionate lover of wine, food, and any experience that brings the two together! In this weekly blog post, I share my thoughts on a wine that I’ve recently purchased from one of our local independent wine merchants. If you’d like to know more about me, I’ve included a brief bio following the post.
2021 Clos des Fous Pour Ma Gueule
Itata Valley, Chile
Liberty Wine Merchants
$34.99
Various locations
Sometimes the most interesting wines come from people willing to be a little unconventional.
Clos des Fous, which translates loosely to Vineyard of the Fools, was founded in 2009 by four partners who wanted to challenge the perception of Chilean wine as industrial, standardized, and overripe. They set out to explore Chile’s diverse soils and terroir, seeking out cooler, high-altitude microclimates. Not surprisingly, they were considered a little crazy for pursuing vineyards where others questioned whether grapes would even ripen.
The name Pour Ma Gueule is a little cheeky too. Roughly translated as “for my own mouth,” it’s a French expression for the wine a winemaker sets aside for themselves, their family and their friends—in other words, the insider’s stash.
Sourced from Guarilihue in the Itata Valley, the 2021 Pour Ma Gueule blends País and Cinsault, two varieties with a long history in Chile. Made with a low-intervention approach and aged for 9–12 months on its lees in concrete vats, it sees no oak, letting the fruit and vineyard character shine.
The wine shows a pale to medium ruby, with a lovely nose of raspberry, strawberry, rhubarb and rose petal. The palate is all about crunchy red fruit, with smooth tannins, refreshing acidity and an intriguing hint of caramel apple and rooibos tea. Medium-bodied, nicely balanced and finishing cleanly. This is an easygoing, enjoyable red with plenty of character. Not a wine that demands contemplation, but one that makes you want another sip.
Pair Pour Ma Gueule with grilled or roasted meats, or lighter fare such as ratatouille or a charcuterie board.
Kim Mead is a Vancouver-based wine and food writer. She holds the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines with Merit, the French Wine Scholar designation with Honours, the Bordeaux Masters designation with Honours, and the Italian Wine Essentials certification. Kim serves as Cellar Master for the Vancouver chapter of the International Wine and Food Society and is a member of the Commanderie de Bordeaux. Follow her @agalandaglass