letuffeau.com
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Les Vignerons d’Estézargues
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Domaine les Genestas
Signargues, (Southern) Rhone Valley
“Producers in the Old World have long banded together into cooperatives. Associations of close-knit growers that select worthy parcels from their individual holdings, usually vinified, elevaged, and blended in a cellar for which they share the cost.
This is a communal, ‘old-school’ practice that avoids the risks associated with becoming a grower-vinifier, but also shuns the limelight that ‘trendy’ small producers have garnered in the last decade. Consequently, the last few under the radar gems are found in co-op wines. That is, if you avoid the pitfalls.”
— David
“I’m listening … ”
— Nick
“The Vignerons d’Estézargues are a group of small growers based around a small Village in the Southern Rhone. Led by Armelle Roualt (indeed, the group is largely woman-led), they have reached about 3/4 Organic conversation across the 550ha pooled by the members; trace amounts of Sulphur are only added at bottling (for stability). Simply incredible figures, perhaps unachievable elsewhere in France.
All their wines are classic — no oak is used, just enamel lined concrete vats. The vines are fully mature to really quite old: minimum 20 years and up to 80. And not a single Syrah grape makes it into this blend … this is truly classic ‘CDR’ territory: 60% Grenache, 20% Mouvedre, and 20% Counoise!”
— David
“This is just pure pleasure. Worth mentioning that this is a single-Village Cotes-du-Rhone at less than $35/bottle … with a sexy, modern label.”
— Nick
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SCA Les Vignerons d’Estezargues
Domaine les Genestas 2023 Signargues Cotes-du-Rhone Villages
(Shelf Price: $37.00)
Offer: $33.00
6-pack : $180.00 ($30/bottle)
“An alluringly deep ruby streaked with violet in the glass, this ‘CDR’ brims with personality.”
— David
“It’s juicy! Jooo-sie.”
— Pierre (The Importer, gesticulating Gallicly)
“There is indeed a pleasing plumpness here, a soft and beguiling quality to the blue and dark-red fruit aromatics that practically ‘fill-out’ every inch of olfactory space in the glass. Introspection — hardly possible when my tasting glass is repeatedly emptied so quickly — brings dried herbs (especially thyme and *real* oregano) to the fore, along with a touch of sauvage, bitter blood orange, warm rocks, and a hint cracked black pepper. There is a Rubenesque quality to the palate — generous; with a fine line of acidity, and sneaky little tannins that creep up just at the right moment near the close. Sliced fresh plums, crushed blueberries, milk chocolate, a passing moment of orange flesh and rind, and an admirable dash of black pepper on the close. The finish is very sustained, with the milk chocolate note repeating.
The glass is gone in 60 seconds. Juicy Counoise Couture, indeed.”
— David
Order here
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If you would like any of the above, would like to come by for a private appointment, or just have some questions — please let us know.