A taste of the top southern Rhônes
Vinsobres
1 Domaine Constant-Duquesnoy, Confidence 92
Well-managed, well-judged oak (eight months in third-use barriques), adding a touch of juniper to the bay and olive-tinged black fruit. It’s full-bodied, but soft and juicy, with very ripe tannins. This has great authenticity, Vinsobres character and freshness, even with its relatively low acidity. The estate is in organic conversion. Drink 2020-2023 Alcohol 15%
TOP VALUE Domaine Jaume, Altitude 420 92
£4.92 (ib) The Wine Society The fruit is ripe, gentle, smooth and fresh. Tannins are strict and serrated, giving robust structure to the fresh, acidulated berry fruit. It has good presence and length and the oak is very well integrated. The alcohol is a little on the high side, but that’s an aside – there’s a lot to love about this wine. Drink 2020-2024 Alc 14%
Rasteau
2 KEY PRODUCER TOP VALUE Domaine la Luminaille, Luminaris 92
Smooth and elegant, with remarkable persistence of dark fruit for the vintage. A touch of lavender and liquorice. Grenachedominant (50%) blend, 30% whole-bunch fermented with wild yeasts in concrete, then 20% moved to old barrels for 16 months. Remarkably drinkable. In organic conversion. Drink 2020-2024 Alc 14%
TOP VALUE Domaine Combe Julière, Tradition 91
A touch of coffee bean among dark berry fruits. Medium to full, very smooth and silky. Good intensity of fruit and well balanced. Long finish. A dry, savoury style that will age relatively well for a 2018 Rasteau. Drink 2020-2025
Domaine la Soumade, Confiance 91
Some juicy fresh raspberry and damson on the nose with a fresh pepper hint. Very smooth on the silky, yielding palate. The tannins are ripe and grippy, and although this is undoubtedly potent, it does have a remarkable degree of elegance for the vintage. Drink 2020-2024 Alc 15%
Cairanne
3 KEY PRODUCER Domaine Brusset, L’Esprit de Papet 91
Aniseed, fennel, pear and a lifted note of jasmine. Full-bodied but with balancing acidity. A little pithy bitterness brings structure. Good length and freshness. The oak is quite present from the six months in new barrels but it works well this year, not hogging the limelight too
