With intense black fruit and spice aromas, Domaine Jolivet’s Saint Joseph l’Instinct is still very young and powerful, but already approachable with silky smooth tannins (lots of them!), and showing an attractive savoury character.   This outstanding example of Northern Rhone Syrah can be drunk now, or left to develop for a few more years if you have the patience!

Recommend decanting for 1 hour before drinking.

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Antares is the main star in the scorpio constellation.  It also happens to be the name of this delicious organic AOC Lirac made from a blend of Grenache and Mourvedre, full of earthy ripe black and red fruit, oak and spices.

Lirac is an AOC situated almost directly west and across the Rhône from the Châteauneuf du Pape AOC.  The wines can be very similar in style to their more famous neighbour, but because Lirac is not as well known, you can find hidden gems like this one which offer outstanding value for money!

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Almost everyone who knows anything about French wine knows Châteauneuf du Pape.  Although the regulations allow up to 13 varieties of grapes to be used, Domaine Duseigneur prefers to use 100% Grenache where possible letting the spicy, berry flavours of this variety shine, although in certain vintages they will sometimes add up to 10% of Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault.

Catarina is named after Catherine of Siena, a saint who visited the nearby city of Avignon (which by the way is beautiful, we highly recommend you visit if you get the chance) in the year 1376.

This superb organic Châteauneuf du Pape is made from grapes grown on 3 vineyards, then aged in old oak barrels for 12 months before bottling.

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Almost everyone who knows anything about French wine knows Châteauneuf du Pape.  Although the regulations allow up to 13 varieties of grapes to be used, Domaine Duseigneur prefers to use 100% Grenache where possible, letting the spicy, berry flavours of this variety shine.

Le Songe de Catherine, like the Catarina, is named after Catherine of Siena, a saint who visited the nearby city of Avignon in the year 1376.  It was said that she used to have mystical dreams or visions, the name “Le Songe de Catherine” means “Catherine’s dream”.

You might be wondering why le Songe de Catherine is more expensive than Catarina, since they’re both Châteauneuf du Pape, are both organic, and are both made from 100% Grenache?  Well, le Songe de Catherine is a single-vineyard wine, similar to Premier Cru or Grand Cru Burgundy, while Catarina uses grapes from 3 separate vineyards.  Le Songe de Catherine is also aged for twice as long as Catarina in oak barrels, giving more time for the tannins to soften and complex aromas to develop.

Because all the grapes in le Songe de Catherine come from a single vineyard, the soil has a great influence on the wine.  This particular vineyard is planted on soil that is mainly composed of limestone slabs, which is rather rare for a Châteauneuf du Pape wine, and gives freshness, elegance and balance.

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La Miroenière Rouge punches well above its weight, with aromas of ripe cherries and dried herbs evoking the Mediterranean climate where it is made.  Unlike most other IGP wines, La Miroenière Rouge will benefit from aging, so even though it’s from 2016, you’ll be able to enjoy it now through at least 2024.

The post Domaine Mouriesse Vinum – La Miroenière Rouge 2016 appeared first on The Malted Grape.

If you think you know Beaujolais, think again.  This organic old vine Morgon will make you rethink what the Gamay grape is capable of.  Made from 2 parcels of old vines, 1 of over 45 years of age and the other over 110 years old (that’s right, these vines were there before World War 1), this Morgon isn’t your typical Beaujolais, meant to be drunk young.  Bursting with complex red and black fruit and earthy mineral, you’ll find gamey, savoury notes creeping in as it ages.

The post Domaine Jean-Paul et Charly Thevenet – Morgon Vieilles Vignes 2018/2019 appeared first on The Malted Grape.

Régnié is the youngest of the 10 Beaujolais “Crus”, but makes some outstanding wines.  Made from the Gamay grape, this organic Régnié shows fresh, juicy fruit with tons of minerality!  As with the Morgon, the Thevenet Régnié Grain & Granit can and will benefit from some aging in the bottle.

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Matissat is the cuvee prestige, the top of the range from La Pèira, and boy, it really is something special.  Produced in very limited quantities (an average of under 700 bottles per vintage) in select years only, Mourvedre dominated, this brilliant wine is a smorgasbord of powerful black fruit, chocolate, spices with sobering earthy notes to bring it all together.

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La Pèira Rouge is the “grand vin” of the estate.  This powerful, structured red delivers spades of ripe red and black fruit and garrigue that jump out at you from the glass, followed by delicate floral and oak notes.  You can drink it now, but it’ll keep beautifully for several more years.

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Las Flors de La Pèira is the second wine of the estate.  The inky black colour hints at what you’ll find on the nose, which is full of ripe, juicy black fruit, vanilla, violets and hints of truffle and leather in perfect balance.

The post La Pèira – Las Flors de La Pèira 2014 appeared first on The Malted Grape.