Domaine La Garrigue - Côtes du Rhône Cuvée Romaine 2020
Price: $24.99
Sale Price: $19.99
| Producer | Domaine La Garrigue |
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| Country | France |
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| Region | Rhone Valley |
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| Varietal | Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre |
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| Vintage | 2020 |
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| Sku | 00334 |
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| Size | 750ml |
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Owners of the winery since 1850, the Bernard family is well-known for their bold Vacqueyras cuvees. Here, as the importer notes, they take their "more precocious tanks" and declassify the wine as Cotes du Rhone. "Precocious" because the wine is readily accessible young, without the need to age before enjoyment. And yes, "tanks", because there isn't a barrel in sight at the winery. The result is an incredibly pure-fruited expression of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah. Yet, thanks to 40-60 year-old vines and meticulous farming, there is a complexity and depth of fruit and tannins that raise this wine to a different level. As good as it is now, it will improve for another 4-6 years.
"It has a beautiful bouquet of red and black fruits, garrigue, pepper, and spice to go with a medium to full-bodied, rich, beautifully textured style on the palate. With a level of purity and complexity well above its humble price point, it's a no brainer purchase." JD
A couple of more delicious pairing options: Risotto of sun-dried tomatoes, zucchini, parmesan, hazelnuts and sesame oil... or Pork tenderloin marinated in mustard, honey and soy.
Domaine La Garrigue Description
"Domaine la Garrigue was founded in 1850 by the same family that runs the property today, Famille Bernard. Brothers Maxime and Pierre Bernard, of the 5th generation, are at the helm of the estate with Maxime acting as chef while Pierre focuses on the family’s restaurant nestled in the hills below the Dentelles, Les Florets. Their wives, children, nieces and nephews all have roles at the domaine and there is plenty of work for all, as this is the largest domaine in the appellation covering 83 hectares. They farm vines of Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Syrah, Grenache Blanc and Clairette on the three primary terroirs of Vacqueyras. The average age of their vines is about 50 years old with some vines well over a century. The reticent but very talented Virginie Combe, a member of the 6th generation, is in charge of the winemaking with guidance from Philippe Cambie.
The traditional structure of the family business carries through to the wines as well. Farming is sustainable – as much for its inherent benefits as a seeming distrust of modernity. In fact a visit to the cellars is like stepping back in time. There’s nary a barrel in sight and the walls are lined with concrete tanks and stainless steel fermenters. Fermentations are conducted on the stems and macerations are long and gentle, followed by reductive aging in concrete. As a result the natural ferocity of the terroirs of Vacqueyras are captured and preserved in each bottle. These are not shy or polished Rhônes but engaging and forceful examples hearkening to the past. Tasting through a series of tank samples of mono-varietial wines you can notice subtle differences in each but the overall impression is a common sense of place and the epitome of Vacqueyras." importer note
Jeb Dunnuck: 92 Points
"It has a beautiful bouquet of red and black fruits, garrigue, pepper, and spice to go with a medium to full-bodied, rich, beautifully textured style on the palate. With a level of purity and complexity well above its humble price point, it's a no brainer purchase." JD
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