About this WINE
Domaine la Cabotte
Purchased in 1981 and owned by the Plumet family ever since, the domaine has grown from 10 to 30 hectares of vines, with an additional 12 hectares coming on-stream this year, and 1.5 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It is certified organic and farmed biodynamically. The mainly limestone and sand soils of the plateau of the Massif d’Uchaux are very poor in nutrients. This enables them to produce wines of real finesse and elegance in comparison to those from neighbouring appellations. Eric and Marie-Pierre Plumet believe that managing the environment around the vineyard is essential for a site’s health – from maintaining their 15 hectares of forest, to regulating water and the influence of wind, to promoting biodiversity. Son Etienne has been part of the team here for the past few years and is taking biodynamic innovations forward with his parents. Across the board, their wines are pure, mineral and fine.
The 2021 vintage was just as challenging for this domaine as it was for their neighbours, however, here Etienne talks of how their biodynamic approach saved them. He states that, after spraying vines that were 40% frosted with a valerian tea-infusion, the grapes recovered, leaving only 5% final damage. The freshness of 2021 is hugely complementary to Cabotte’s beautiful purity of style. These are wines with great ageing potential, especially La Sauvageonne. Etienne recently tasted a vertical of this wine from the last decade and each one was fresh as a daisy. The Colline Blanc is from the warmer and more fruit-forward 2022 vintage which Eric and Marie-Pierre describe as “one beautiful vintage in the making”.
Côtes du Rhône Villages
A clear step up from basic Côtes du Rhône in terms of both quality and price, the Côtes du Rhône Villages appellation covers an area of 5,700 hectares entirely within the Southern Rhône. About 15 percent of the size of its generic counterpart, it offers mostly excellent, very good value wines from all three hues that are more serious, concentrated and interesting.
Red wines dominate, made up of a minimum 50 percent Grenache, at least 20 percent Syrah and Mourvèdre, and no more than 20 percent from 10 other named varieties. Out of 95 communes that are eligible to use the Villages name, the finest 18 of them have the right to append their village name, as long as the wine is exclusively from that commune. The classification is quite fluid though, with Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and Beaumes de Venise and Vinsobres and Rasteau having been upgraded to AOC status, and other villages like Massif d’Uchaux and Plan de Dieu being added.
Best enjoyed from two to 10 years of age, the best wines probably come from Cairanne and Sablet, but all are well worth a look. The whites are rapidly improving and are delicious in their first three years. Rosé wines are made from the same cépage as the reds and are usually very good.
Recommended Producers: Chapoton, Domaine Cros de la Mûre, La Soumade
Grenache Blanc/Garnacha Blanca
Grenache Blanc is a white grape variety closely related to the more widely known red grape, Grenache Noir (or Grenache). It is believed to have originated in Spain, specifically in the Catalonia region, but it has spread to many wine-producing areas worldwide.
Grenache Blanc is appreciated for its versatility and ability to adapt to various climates and terroirs. The grape typically produces aromatic wines with floral and fruity notes, including flavors of green apple, pear, citrus, and sometimes tropical fruits. In some cases, the wines may also showcase herbal or mineral undertones.
The grape is grown in several wine regions worldwide, with notable plantings in France (particularly in the Rhône Valley and Languedoc-Roussillon regions), Spain, the United States (especially in California), Australia, and South Africa.
Grenache Blanc is often used in both single-varietal wines and as a blending component in white blends. When used in blends, it can add body, richness, and aromatics to the final wine. It is also commonly blended with white Rhône varieties like Roussanne and Marsanne to create aromatic and complex wines.
Its crisp acidity and fruity character make it a versatile wine for food pairing. It pairs well with various dishes, including seafood, salads, roasted chicken, Asian cuisine, and Mediterranean dishes.
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Description
Production was limited in 2018, so we will be offering this charming 2019 vintage in its place. A blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Viognier and Roussanne produces a wine with ripe, yellow stone-fruit, with orange blossom and honeysuckle aromas. There’s an attractive phenolic grip on the palate that adds a savoury element and backbone to the supple and juicy fruit profile. Drink now to 2022.
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