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Arrives Tuesday... first dibs to previous buyers. Only 10 cases available. New label... used to be called "Vieille Vignes"...
 St. Damien Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes 2019
Sale $19.99
90-92 pts Wine Advocate / 90 pts Jeb Dunnuck
80% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre. No oak barrels. For me, few wineries capture the wild, earthy side of Cotes du Rhone like St. Damien. Always in balance, the wines offer loads of voluptuous fruit, for sure, but there is always an earthy undertone that evokes memories of Rhones gone by. There is just a savory weight to the wine that truly separates them from the pack, and elevates them.
The seduction starts upon popping the cork, with gorgeous notes of strawberry, cassis and anise tickling your senses before you even get the glass to your lips. A quick swirl and a tentative dip in the waters reveals loads of upfront, sweet fruit – blackberry, plum, cassis, cherry… washing in waves over your tongue. Hmm… the water’s fine – dive right in! As this expands with air, more nuances of spice, black pepper and wild herbs come to the fore, giving the wine more depth and complexity. A dash of dark minerality on the finish pulls it all together. Wait, this is how much? Whew… baby Gigondas here folks! I paired with a pork shoulder chop, grilled slowly over real hardwood. Hmm…
"An 80-20 blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre, the 2019 Cotes du Rhone Villages Plan de Dieu Vieilles Vignes is an excellent option for consumers who don't want to spend the extra money for the Saurel family's Gigondas bottlings. The garrigue on the nose is a bit more subtle than normal this year, with the bulk of the aromatics being super ripe cherries and berries. Full-bodied and intense, with a helping of firm tannins that keep the jamminess in check, it finishes dusty and savory, with ample length. This is a big wine, yet one I suspect will mature relatively quickly; drink it over the next 5-6 years." WA
"The 2019 Plan De Dieu Vieilles Vignes has considerably more elegance and finesse compared to the richer, more opulent La Bouveau and gives up beautiful notes of black cherries, raspberries, flowers, and peppery garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, silky and just beautifully balanced, this is a no brainer Southern Rhône to enjoy over the coming 5-7 years as well." JD | 
