Domaine Combe Juliere – Rasteau – 2022

Description

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
A family owned estate which is considered to be among the top three producers in Rasteau in the southern Rhône. Owner and winemaker Robert Laurent produces a handful of stunning wines from old vine Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan from his 40 hectares of vineyards. Certified by Agrocert, the vineyards are cultivated sustainably, with the utmost respect for the environment and without the use of chemicals. Beautifully handcrafted, these opulent wines impeccably showcase the terroir of Rasteau.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
The vineyard is situated in the Rasteau appellation on hillside slopes which offer good drainage and sun exposure. The soil layers are complex due to its various origins. Brown clay, which comprises sediment from the Alps from the miocène period, and grey clay, which is made up of sediment from algae, overlap here at root level imparting extra complexity to the wine. The sunny weather and strong northern Mistral wind, keep the vines dry and healthy. The vineyard is cultivated according to sustainable methods and is certified by AGROCERT. The vines have an average age of 70 years and the grapes are manually harvested.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
Classical vinification techniques were used. The grapes were carefully sorted and destemmed before undergoing a pre-fermentation maceration. A long, slow fermentation took place in vats with wild yeasts lasting for 25 days, encouraging the extraction of colour, flavour and structure. The wine was made in an unoaked style, spending two years in concrete tanks in order to fully express the terroir.

OUR TASTING NOTES:
An opulent wine with concentrated black fruit enveloped by polished and integrated tannins. The black fruit aromas are echoed on the palate with a touch of liquorice and warm spice through to a long, silky finish.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Grenache 80%, Carignan 10%, Mourvèdre 10%.