Clos Bellane St Jacques Rouge Vinsobres AOP, Cotes du Rhone – 2020

This excellent biodynamic producer is situated between the villages of Valréas and Vinsobres in the far north of the Southern Rhone wine region. Their relatively high altitude vines (at around 400mts) grow on pure limestone soils and benefit from a steady, cooling breeze which blows down from the Alps nearby. These cool temperatures and limestone minerality, combined with copious quantities of Southern French sunshine, result in wines which have the freshness and elegance of the Northern Rhone together with the warmth, lavender and spice typical of the south.

Made from a blend of 65% Grenache from 60 year old vines and 35% Syrah, this impressive Côtes du Rhone Rouge has dark fruit aromas with notes of spice and violets.

On the palate it has flavours of dark cherries and blackberries, black olives, herbs and a lot of spice. It is deep and rich in fruit, but at the same time has excellent freshness from the cool, high altitude location of the vineyards. Still brooding and young, this will drink beautifully until 2030.

Serve with duck with olives, a Kobé beef entrecote or a simple home made pasta dish with meat sauce.

550 cases were produced. Drink 2024-2030