Crous St Martin Cairanne “Les Goupilles”
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The vines are located between the villages of Cairanne and Rasteau, having a red – brown alluvial soil with a high iron content, located against the slopes.
- The sub-soil is grey clay originating from algee deposit when the Mediterrean was up hear till 3 million years ago. This brings a lot of complexity to the wine, dark colors, some extra structure, the reason for which Cairanne is a CRU, the highest level in the Rhone appellation structure.
- The vineyards are located in “Estevenas”, “Garrigue” and “les Douyes”
Varietal Composition: 25% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 25% Mourvèdre, 25% Carignan
Elaboration: 30 day steel vat vinification at up to 28°C, cap punching, a little pumping over, mostly aged in stainless, with a small portion in used 228-litre oak casks (Syrah-Mourvèdre) raised 15 months, unfined, unfiltered.
Tasting Notes: Bright ruby with carmine reflection. Complex nose with delicate red berry aromas. Mouth is delicious with beautiful volume and silky tannins.
PRESS
2017 – 89-91 Jeb Dunnuck
2018 – 90 Wine Enthusiast
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
An overnight blockbuster for us immediately upon arrival two vintages back, Crous St Martin is a collaboration between Rhone expert Harry Bosmans and Eric Bonnet of Domaine Bastide Saint Dominique. Harry is a household name amongst quality growers in the Rhone Valley and an invaluable resource thanks to his skill on both the production side and on the sales side. Eric’s family has been growing grapes in the north-east corner of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation for three generations now, with 120 acres of vines in their name. Eric’s father began to make wines at Bastide Saint Dominique in 1980, quickly establishing the property as an elite player in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Eric, now 39 years old, spent his early winemaking years up North in Burgundy, and that influence still shows in the delicate balance he is able to achieve between power and detail.