Following the nice visit at Domaine Grand Veneur, I also had an appointment at Domaine de Cristia this May. Time was short, but I won’t complain – I was blown away, and not just by the wines.
southern rhone
Yet another great value Southern Rhone red: Domaine les Grands Bois “Maximilien” Cairanne 2017
Another great Cotes du Rhone from 2016: Clos Saint-Antonin
Yet another one from the endless row of great 2016 Southern Rhone reds. The first wine I tried from the producer and it convinced me, now I want to try more from their portfolio.
Another great Cotes du Rhone red – Domaine Olivier Hillaire Vieilles Vignes 2017
Drinking in Avignon wine #10. The last one from this series, and easily the best. Bought the bottle in the producers shop in the centre of the town Chateauneuf-du-Pape, where one can taste through the whole range, including the expensive top wines, I highly recommend to visit it if you are in town.
Vignerons de Caractere, Terroir Daronton, Roaix 2016, Cotes du Rhone Villages
Drinking in Avignon, wine #8. Yet another Southern Rhone appellation which I have not heard of, Roaix. But while that pretty Seguret made me a fan, this time I was slightly disappointed.
Rhone Cru with age – Alain Jaume & Fils Lirac Roquedon 2012
Drinking in Avignon, wine #7. I bought the bottle at the cellar door, at the end of my visit. There were so many wines available, and I love the producer so I wanted all them, but sadly, I could only carry one bottle with myself. And because the topic that I was most interested on this trip was how Southern Rhone reds age, I chose what the lady recommended: a Lirac at 6.5 years of age, presumably at its prime. Continue reading
A lovely little Rhone red: Domaine Corpet Louvet 2018, Séguret AOP
Drinking in Avignon, supermarket wine #5. After yesterday’s Beaumes-de-Venise, here is another lesser-known Southern Rhone appellation, Séguret. I admit I have never heard the name – but after trying this wine, it’s definitely on my list. Continue reading
Chateauneuf-du-Pape visits: Domaine Grand Veneur
My first target to visit in Chateauneuf-du-Pape was Domaine Grand Veneur at the end of May, and I really enjoyed it. We started in a vineyard near the winery, which sits just on the other side of appellation’s border. It seems pretty obvious that just a few meters of difference won’t stop you from growing the same quality of grapes, but the rules are strict – you cannot call it Chateauneuf-du-Pape anymore. Which means you cannot ask the same price for the wine. On the other hand, you can have a bigger crop, different varieties – for example, Viognier, which is not allowed in CdP -, and you can use different trailing systems. You can train Grenache on cordons, for example, which is not allowed inside the appellation. Continue reading