Côtes Du Rhône Les Vieilles Vignes

Beef, Lamb, Game (deer, venison)

18 months in 36-hectoliter oak Stockinger foudres, and 8-hectoliter terracotta amphorae. Unfined and unfiltered at bottling.

The grapes are hand-picked into crates and sorted manually in the vineyard before a second, table sorting in the cellar. A proportion is destemmed, the quantity being determined by the nature of the vintage and the parcel, and the grapes are fed by gravity into the vats to ensure the integrity of the berries. Fermentation takes place in thermo-regulated stainless-steel vats for 20 to 30 days, with two long pumping over sessions daily. Punching down is decided after tasting. Pressed pneumatically. Malolactic fermentation in vat. The wines are clarified by settling over winter in the cellar. Barrel filling occurs in the spring.

Domaine Santa Duc of the Gras family was founded in 1874 and produce reference point wines from their base in Gigondas, and leading expressions from neighbouring Chateauneuf du Pape. The wines produced here continue to receive wide critical acclaim, a result of innovation and a reputation for producing wines of energy and clarity. Yves Gras pioneered organic farming in the region from 1985, favouring large oak foudre and terracotta amphorae over small oak barrels, whilst dialling down on extraction. Son Benjamin taking on the reins in 2017, creating a new winery and converting to biodynamics. Their Grenache led reds show stunning purity of fruit, and an almost Pinot like finesse, whilst having the stuffing to reward ample cellar time.