Tavel, La Combe des Rieu

Wine Type: Rosé

Grape(s): 50% Grenache Noir, Blanc and Gris 20%, Cinsault, 20% Carignan Noir and Blanc, 10% Clairette Blanche and Rosée

Country: France

Region: Tavel AOC, Côtes du Rhône

Organic: Yes

Vegan: Yes

ABV: 14.5%

Tasting Notes: Its colour is like an unfiltered pinot noir rather than a delicate rosé. The flavours include spicy black cherry, juniper, and bay leaf. There’s a gentle tannic pull on the palate, a good sense of freshness and salinity, and a very long limestone-induced finish.

Winemaking: Winemaker Gaël practices a SO2-free, semi-carbonic maceration using the 'mille-feuille' technique.

The co-planted bush vines (planted in 1965, 1969, 1976) enjoy steady capillary access to water and a cool north exposure; they sit in a rocky red clay topsoil littered with tile-shaped limestone scree (locally called 'lauzes'). The 3.5ha usually yield 25hh on average and Gaël practices a SO2-free, semi-carbonic maceration using the 'mille-feuille' technique. Low pH level of 3.30 and total SO2 at 20mg/l. 

It holds up extremely well when open for a few days auguring well for its ageing potential – it should drink perfectly for at least five years from vintage. It is suggested to drink cellar cool (12-14C), and is ideally suited to spiced, garlicy Mediterranean cuisine.