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The AOP Rasteau stands for two completely different wines. Interestingly, the classification for the little-known Vin Doux Naturel, naturally sweet fortified red, white or rosé wines, has been in place since 1944, while the red wines, which are much better known today, only received their own AOP with the 2009 vintage. The dry white and rosé wines of the region continue to be marketed as Côtes du Rhone Villages.
Christophe Grilhé

Although the area east of Cairanne and north of Gigondas is relatively small, the landscape and soil types are by no means uniform. In the north, the vines are planted on partly relatively steep south-facing slopes at up to 360 metres above sea level. Here, the finer and more complex wines of the region are produced on a subsoil of mostly limestone and marl. South of Rasteau there are flatter terraces at 120 to 160 metres above sea level. The soils alternate between clay, limestone and marl. The wines of the lower part are usually somewhat more rustic and broad-shouldered than their northern relatives.

All good red Rasteau wines have in common a rather light style and a firm structure, which allow the wines to easily cope with high alcohol levels. Ideally, clear minerality provides an additional cooling effect. The best examples are complex, spicy, powerful, deep and capable of developing over many years.

The main variety for red wines is Grenache, which must make up at least 50% of the finished wine, plus at least 20% Mourvedre and/or Syrah; the proportion of the (not so few) other permitted varieties may not exceed 20%. The Vin Doux Naturell must consist of at least 90% of the different Grenache varieties (noir, gris, blanc), and here too the list of other permitted varieties is long.

All in all, we have tasted around 40 wines in the last few weeks, which we would like to present to you here and as a Present PDF. You will find links to the wines with detailed descriptions as well as to the producers. here.

2017

  • 87WP "Toque Rouge", Francois Masson Regnault
  • 86WP M. Chapoutier

2016

  • 91WP "Cuvée Confiance", la Soumade
  • 90WP "Cuvée Prestige", la Soumade
  • 88WP Vieilles Vignes, des Girasols
  • 88WP Sélection Vieilles Vignes, Beau Mistral
  • 88WP "1' Né(z)", La Luminaille
  • 88WP Rabasse Charavin
  • 88WP "Les Cras", du Trapadis
  • 87WP "Les Adrés", du Trapadis
  • 87WP "2' Né(z)", La Luminaille
  • 87WP de Verquiere
  • 87WP "la terre des promesses", Wilfried
  • 87WP de la Gardine
  • 87WP "La Bastide Saint Martin", Beau Mistral
  • 87WP New Rhône Millésimes
  • 87WP "Héritage", Grange Blanche
  • 87WP "Cuvée le Haut Plateau", Fond Croze
  • 86WP "L'Archange", Grange Blanche
  • 86WP les Evigneaux
  • 86WP "Le Chéne", La Font de Notre Dame
  • 86WP Wilfried
  • 85WP Ravoire et Fils
  • 85WP Domaine Martin
  • 84WP "Les Sommets de Rasteau", Martin

2015

  • 87WP "Ilex", Saint Gayan
  • 87WP Rabasse Charavin
  • 87WP Sélection Vieilles Vignes, Beau Mistral
  • 87WP Pique-Basse
  • 86WP des Girasols
  • 85WP "les esqueyrons", Grand Nicolet
  • 85WP Fond Croze
  • 84WP "Septentrion", Wilfried
  • 84WP Château La Diffre
  • 83WP Vieilles Vignes, Grand Nicolet

Older vintages

  • 86WP 2014 "Ilex", Saint Gayan
  • 86WP 2013 du Trignon
  • 83WP 2013 "L'Arbre de Vie", des Girasols

Vin Doux Naturel

  • 91WP 2015 Rouge, la Soumade
  • 88WP Rosé, Grand Nicolet
  • 86WP Rosé, des Girasols

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