Domaine St.-Damien - Cotes du Rhone La Bouveau 2022
Price: $24.99
Sale Price: $17.89
| Producer | Domaine St.-Damien |
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| Country | France |
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| Region | Rhone Valley |
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| Varietal | Syrah |
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| Vintage | 2022 |
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| Sku | 11868 |
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| Size | 750ml |
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Unlike most Southern Cotes du Rhone we see, this is 80% Syrah, 15% Cinsault, 5% Viognier. Immediately from that blend alone, I’m already thinking of the Northern Rhone. Compared to Grenache-based bottlings, this has got more Syrah black-and-blue fruit profile- all dark,smoky, and brambly. Its aromatics recall the Northern Rhone as well, with expressive anise and tobacco notes and the impressive floral notes of Viognier.
Here is yet another delicious bottling. It starts with seductive aromas of lavender, pepper and anise, then gives way to a lush mouthful of rich blackberry, currant and black cherry fruit – the fruit forward character of the Southern Rhone but melded with the classic garrigue, lavender, and herbs de provence character (hello old vine Cinsault!) add complexity to the wine. This will drink well for 4-5 years, so grab some extra!
The Syrah and Cinsault, plus Viognier, are co-fermented in glass-lined concrete vats for 5 weeks, and then matured in concrete for 8 months before being bottled without filtration. What that does is allow the wine to breath, unlike stainless steel, and soften, without adding toasty, oaky flavors. Nothing wrong with a judicious use of wood, but here the goal is to express their fabulous terroir, with the Le Bouveau vineyard just outside the boundary of Gigondas, but with a similar aspect and soil-type...and without the price tag!
Wine Advocate: 91 Points
“Another fine value, the 2022 Cotes du Rhone la Bouveau—which comes from clay and limestone soils too close to the river to be considered Gigondas—is 80% Syrah. It's juicy and fresh-smelling, with aromas of ripe blueberries and blackberries on the nose, balanced by black olives on the medium to full-bodied, silky-textured palate.”
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