Last night my sister-in-law handed me a wine bottle of odd shape and size with a yellow, somewhat faded label. She said she obtained it at a charity auction in which she probably spent no more than $50. She knows my interest in wine and felt I could help her understand a little bit about the wine and if there is any history I could track down as well.
As you can see, it’s an Ets Jean-Pierre Brotte La Flascoulet Chateauneuf du pape stamped “For U.S. Forces Only.” I have some information that leads me to believe this is a 1961, however, the vintage is missing from the bottle or has simply faded. The U.S. Forces stamp probably only designates the bottle was to be taxed differently having been shipped to and sold from a military base somewhere OR maybe it was given to troops in the field. I have sent some information to various expert sources to try and get answers to these questions.
I hear that 1961 is a pretty good year for CdP, though I have no idea how well this wine has been stored during its life.
If you happen to know something about these things or can offer another source to reach who may be able to answer these questions, please shar in the comments.
I am super interested in some answers as well, Tweet to me if you find out Ed. Great puzzle!
Ed. This is the only La Flascoulet that Ets Jean Pierre Brotte bottled that I can locate. They must have only made it one year.
Wine: 1962 J.P. BROTTE LE FLASCOULET Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Type: Red
Producer: J.P. BROTTE LE FLASCOULET
Varietal: Grenache Blend
Country: France
Region: Rhône
SubRegion: Southern Rhône
Appellation: Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Cards & Log-ins
Thanks SWG and Robert for the notes. So maybe its a ’62 and not a ’61… I have left a message with JP Brotte directly as well regarding this mystery. Will report back when/if I get a reply.
I have an empty bottle similar to the one you have pictured except it does not have the entire name but “Ers j.p. brotte” on it and does not have for US Forces only. Heavily coated. At the time it was drunk years ago I was told it was very old and expensive. Not sure if that was a “line” or not! Did you find out any more info on value to date? I know it has been years since your posting. Thanks.
Susan,
You know, I never did find any more information about this bottle and never heard back from the producer. I will try again to take a search and lean on some wine experts in the know via the interwebs… lets see what we find. Thanks for the note!
Ed
Brotte was sold a few years ago. They specialized in a non vintage Chateauneuf-du-Pape which was in a similar bottle shape as yours. So I reckon yours is similar which is why no vintage is indicated. It was always a big seller, reasonably priced but not in the league of ‘classic’ wines from that region. Perhaps the PX has an archive, or a museum who would be interested in buying it from you. I would be very, and delightfully surprised, if it is any good!
Thanks for the info Brett. I will keep my eyes and ears open, but it definitely seems to be a mystery beyond some of the data you have provided. I appreciate it!