La Bastide Saint Dominique “Cairanne”
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The La Bastide Saint Dominique Cairanne vines are on a south-oriented hillside in the “so-called” Estévenas, Les Douyes et Les Garrigues.
- The soils are clay and limestone.
- The vines are 15-50 years old.
- Age this wine between 1-9 years.
Varietal Composition: 25% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 25% Mourvèdre, 25% Carignan
Elaboration: 20-30 days vatting in stainless steel tanks. Single grapevinification. Daily pumping over, punching down, temperature control (max. 28°c). Carignan is aged for 12 months in oak casks 600 l. Other grapes age 12 months in tanks, are assembled and then bottled.
Tasting Notes: Ruby colored wine with violet hues. Nose of wild strawberries and currants mixed with rose petals and peony. Crisp palate, with notes of crushed raspberries and blackcurrant buds. Pleasant roundness and well build in tannins. Complex wine with a long finish.
PRESS
2020 – 93 Wine Enthusiast | 92 James Suckling
2022 – 92 James Suckling
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
The La Bastide Saint Dominique estate lies in the heart of Provence, right in the foothills of Chateauneuf du Pape, buffeted by the gusts of the Mistral wind and bathed by the bright southern sun. Located at the heart of the Southern Rhône Valley, a stone’s throw away from Châteauneuf du Pape. La Bastide Saint Dominique estate enjoys optimal climate with the unique Mistral wind and very hot and dry summers. Built around a former 16th century chapel, the estate was created by Marie-Claude and Gérard Bonnet with only a handful of hectares. With strong commitment and passion, the Bonnet’s have expanded the estate to a total area of 50 hectares, producing Appellations d’Origine Protégée (AOP) Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Cairanne, Châteauneuf du Pape and Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP) Méditerranée. Since 1999, their son Eric has been working with them and now takes care of the whole process from production to vinification with a more innovative approach, both on technical and marketing levels. Committed to the environment, La Bastide Saint Dominique registered for the French AB (Agriculture Biologique) Organic farming certification in 2011 and starting with the 2014 vintage, their wines are now certified.
La Bastide Saint Dominique’s particular combination of unique soil makeup, a rich assortment of grape varietals, and old vines ensure that La Bastide Saint Dominique wines are of exceptional quality. Their vines are planted on soils resting on limestone. The rest of the vineyard is composed of red clay and round pebbles which contribute to maintaining heat and regenerating it when needed. All of their cultural practices match the requirements of the Organic Farming regulations, as it is their priority to maintain both soil and vines with precise pruning methods, green harvest etc. Yields are naturally low and the whole estate is harvested by hand.