Domaine de Piaugier Rouge 2016
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
This classic Rhone combination of Grenache and Syrah picked from numerous plots around Sablet is a great representative of this up and coming appellation. Lovely spicy exotic aromas with a hint of liquored cherries introduce you to this mouth-filling and delicate wine which tapers to a long, fine and elegant finish.
This wine is ideal for your favorite lamb recipes.
Blend: 75% Grenache, 25% Syrah.
Sablet was given the classification Cotes du Rhone Villages Sablet in 1974. Sablet rests between the villages of Séguret and Gigondas? and, as its name implies, is built on sandstone.
The Autran Legacy - Jean-Marc Autran, son, grandson, and great-grandson of wine growers, produced his first wine in 1985 in the cellars built by his great-grandfather, Alphonse Vautour, in 1947. Alphonse, who along the slopes of the Briguieres hill had made all his wine in the family's original property called Tenebi, decided to build the present cave on the side of the road leading up to the Ténébi.
Supported by his father, Jean-Marc increased the size of the domaine and developed the sale of bottled wine. Soon the cave was too small, and Jean-Marc decided to enlarge once again in 1995. Along with his wife Sophie, Jean-Marc now cultivates 30 hectares of vines as follows: 3.5 hectares of Gigondas, 12.5 hectares of Sablet, and 14 hectares of Cotes du Rhone.
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.