Cotes du Rhone Villages Plan de Dieu Bio Vielles Vignes, Domaine Saint Damien

Tasting Note

Deeply coloured, this is a savoury, spicy and full flavoured wine, from this award winning producer.

Producer Note

St. Damien was an early Christian saint (martyred in the year 287 A.D.) and considered the patron saint of doctors. There was a chapel to his honour in the tiny hamlet of La Baumette, just outside the village of Gigondas, where Joel Saurel, the owner of the domaine, lives. The name Saint Damien for the domaine was introduced in 1979. Four generations have worked on this family estate since 1821. In 2013 Romain joined his father on the estate. The estate has been certified organic since 2012.

Vineyard

The vineyards are located in the relatively new appellation of Plan de Dieu, which translates as Plan of God in English. Despite the first historical mentions of the "Plan Dei", which date back to a parchment from 1326, the lieu-dit of Plan de Dieu was only designated a red wine producing appellation in 2005. The climate here is classic Mediterranean with the additional influence of the Mistral winds. The terroir sits on an alluvial plateau with calcareous gravel, which retains water, helping to preserve the vines during the hot and often arid summer months.

Winemaking

The grapes were harvested at optimum maturity and were then vinified for 30 days in the traditional manner, followed by eight months ageing in concrete vats. Bottled without fining or filtration.

Serving Suggestion

The ideal accompaniment to red meats, hearty casseroles and full flavoured dishes with rich sauces

Grape

Grenache 80%, Mourvèdre 15%, Carignan 5%