Domaine le Clos des Lumieres Cotes du Rhone Villages 2016
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Domaine Le Clos des Lumières is a family farm founded in 1946 by the grandfather of the current winemaker, Gérald Serrano, in his native Gard village of Fournès . It is a terroir of high quality that gives the wines of the Clos des Lumières its unique characteristics: pebbles that are particularly suitable for high-end cuvées, because they allow to preserve a stable temperature for the grapes, by storing the heat during the day and rejecting it at night. A clay-limestone soil left by the sea and erosion, and which gives small grains very interesting for their aromatic qualities, and a land of alluvium produced by the Gardon whose grassy plots give the wines of the country.
The area of fifty hectares , planted with vines sometimes more than 60 years old, is composed of all the grape varieties necessary for the composition of all the best wines of the Côte du Rhône.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
An appellation full of some of the most delightful and particularly charming reds, Côtes du Rhône Villages includes the best villages of the greater Côtes du Rhône appellation. The possibility for an appellation promotion exists for every named village but each has to achieve and prove superior quality before an upgrade will be granted. The main ones today are Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Beaumes-de-Venise, Vinsobres, Rasteau and Cairanne.
The Gigondas appellation, while sometimes producing wines with a touch of rusticity, can often rival Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Its elevations are higher and soils richer in limestone. Vacqueyras reds are more concentrated than the more general Côtes du Rhône reds and must be at least one half comprised of Grenache by law. Beaumes de Venise also includes some excellent higher elevation spots for making snappy, fruity and spicy reds but historically the appellation’s esteem came from its fragrant, sweet and golden Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise.