Domaine Combe Juliere, Rasteau

An opulent and dense wine with deep black fruits and notes of southern French garrigue through to a textured and powerful finish.

Producer Note

A family owned estate which is considered to be among the top three producers in Rasteau in the southern Rhône. Owner and winemaker Robert Laurent produces a handful of stunning wines from old vine Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan from his 40 hectares of vineyards. Certified by Agrocert, the vineyards are cultivated sustainably, with the utmost respect for the environment and without the use of chemicals. Beautifully hand crafted, these opulent wines impeccably showcase the terroir of Rasteau.

Vineyard

The vineyard is situated in the Rasteau appellation on hillside slopes which offer good drainage and sun exposure. The soil layers are complex due to its various origins. Brown clay, which comprises sediment from the Alps from the miocène period, and grey clay, which is made up of sediment from algae, overlap here at root level imparting extra complexity to the wine. The sunny weather and strong northern wind, known as the Mistral, keep the vines dry and healthy. The vines have an average age of 70 years and are cultivated according to sustainable methods. The vineyard is certified by AGROCERT and the grapes are manually harvested.

Winemaking

Classical vinification techniques were used. The grapes were carefully sorted and de-stemmed before undergoing a pre-fermentation maceration. A long, slow fermentation took place in vats lasting for 30 days, encouraging good extraction of colour, flavour and structure. The wine was made in an unoaked style in order to fully express the terroir.

Tasting Note

An opulent wine with a depth of concentrated black fruit. The tannins are present but enjoyable as they are polished and integrated. Black fruits on the nose are echoed on the palate with a touch of liquorice and spice through to a long, silky finish.

Serving Suggestion

Perfect with game served in a red fruit sauce; steak or strong cheese.

Grape

Grenache 80%, Carignan 10%, Mourvèdre 10%

Awards

91 Pts, Decanter , 2018