Your Go-to Côtes-du-Rhône has a big sister!
The vineyards of Domaine du Tave are scattered around the village of Vinsobre, at the very edge of the Côtes du Rhone appellation. This is far from the banks of the river, more foothills of the Alps.
Audrey Latard's parcels total less than 6 hectares of vines. For France's second largest wine region (over 75,000 hectares planted), this is a speck--but a speck planted in prime soils with great exposure. In a region dominated by huge brands and large village co-operative cellars, Audrey is rowing against the current and highlighting her hidden corner of the Rhône with her small-scale operation.
The evidence of large, industrial winemaking is sadly never far from view--adjacent to one of her vineyards, a plot she took over from her father in 2008, is the massive tank-farm of the Vinsobre Caves Cooperative. It was here that her father would bring his grapes every year, to be blended away into a uniform, anonymous Côte-du-Rhône.
Like many in her generation, Audrey saw the potential of the vineyards and of breaking away from the co-op model. With a vision, a little investment, and a lot of hard work, she built her Domaine and fashioned wines that spoke to her. And boy, she really has the raw materials to make something great.
Above the village of Vinsobre, at the crest of the hill, her prime vineyard resembles something akin to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The ground is covered with large stones, known as galets roulés, and the hillside is exposed to the cool wind coming down from the Alps. Blowing throughout the growing season, the wind keeps the vines dry and disease-free, while preserving acidity in the grapes and freshness in the wine.
On a clear, cool January day, I met Audrey's parents as they were out pruning the vineyards. It was clear they were proud of their daughter, but they marveled at how wine from a village of barely 1000 people is shipped around the world to be enjoyed. They have lived long enough to see a world they could not have imagined, growing up in this rural part of France.
From that little village of Vinsobres, we've got a restock on the Domaine du Tave Côtes-du-Rhône 'Cuvée Sensation'. And we've also got something special to add to the mix--'Cuvée Paradis'--a single vineyard bottling from that stunning hilltop vineyard above town. So go ahead, reload on one of our perennial favorites, and add a bottle or two of this very special cuvée for good measure.
DOMAINE DU TAVE - COTES DU RHONE VILLAGES
'CUVEE SENSATION' 2023
A go-to red wine for all occasions - the combination of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre creates an enticing alchemy of spice, fruit, and structure that plays nicely with so many foods.
30% Syrah, 50% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre
All native yeast fermentation
Full of red and black fruit, a whiff of coffee, garrigue, and a hit of black pepper
No new oak to cover up the fruit
Rich and savory texture, with a pleasant warm finish
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DOMAINE DU TAVE - VINSOBRES
‘CUVEE PARADIS' 2022
Like the Cuvée Sensation, but turned up to 11! This one spends more time in barrel to build richness and a satiny texture.
70% Grenache, 30% Syrah, from Audrey's prized hilltop vineyard
All native yeast fermentation
Ages one year in barrel for a satiny texture
Rich, dark fruit, baking spices, and powerful tannins