This Cotes-du-Rhone is from a tiny producer near Cairanne called Le Vin de Blaise. Blaise was the great grandfather of the vigneronne, who planted grapes over a century ago on the family farm.
The wine is true to the Rhône, made up of an old vine trio of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan. I suspect there is a high proportion of Syrah, do to the dark peppery spices, and the structure of the acidity. A Grenache based wine is often very aromatic, but can tend towards flabby sweet fruit, of which there is none here. Instead, the classic kirsch is undergirded by dark black fruit, pepper, and spices. Mouthwatering acidity joins moderate tannins. Passe partout.
Région: Côtes du Rhône-Villages
Geographical Designation: Sainte-Cecile
Grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Carignan
Vinification: Natural fermentation in concrete, élevage in old oak. Low sulfites.
Tasting: Dark fruit, Kirsch, Pepper, Anise, Cool spices. Medium body. High acidity.
Here we in very familiar territory in the Rhône. A word on appellations. There are 18 appellations in the Southern Rhône, the most famous of which is Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the very first appellation in all of France, established in 1936. You’re also familiar with Ventoux, Cairanne, Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Tavel etc. These are all villages in the Rhône which gained full appellation status in the AOC system. Sainte-Cecile is a village as well, but does not have its own appellation. Instead it exists as a “geographic designation” within the umbrella of the ‘Côtes du Rhône-Villages’ appellation. This is all rather complicated, notoriously so, so don’t stress too hard.
Damas Wine 