Tasting Notes

Both Wini and Elaine are big fans of the combination of berry and spice, and easy-sipping appeal of Côtes du Rhône wines, and this bottle took them right to their favorite bistros in the South of France. Others on the panel gave the wine a thumbs-up for the way its fragrant strawberry, rose petal, and red berry aromas rounded out the nose, and we all appreciated the shake of spice, including subtle hints of white pepper, on the balanced finish. Made of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah. Drink now through 2009.

Winery Story

Domaine de Relagnes is admirably operated by Olivier Hillaire, a former rugby star turned wine maker. Hillaire is known not only for his wine savvy, but also for his engaging personality, which has opened doors for the Domaine’s wines outside of France. Thanks to his efforts, the Domaine’s wines have recently become available for purchase in the United States.

Relagnes owns approximately 35 acres of vineyards in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a wine-growing region that’s considered the heart of the Southern Rhône. They grow predominantly red varieties, most significantly Grenache, which anchors most of the famous blends of the region. Vieilles Vignes refers to “old vines,” and the vines harvested for the bottle in this shipment are approximately 100 years old, a prized age even in historic Châteauneuf.