La Bastide Saint Dominique Jules Rochebonne

La Bastide Saint Dominique Côtes du Rhône “Jules Rochebonne”

WHY WE LOVE IT

  • The La Bastide Saint Dominique Côtes du Rhône “Jules Rochebonne” vineyard is located on North-facing hillsides in Coudoulet, Champovin and Bois Lauzon, where the soil is red clay and rocky.
  • The vines are 15-35 years old.
  • Suggested serving temperature of 17°C.
  • Drink now or age between 3-9 years.

Varietal Composition: 80% Syrah, 20% Grenache

Elaboration: The wine spends 20-30 days vatting in stainless steel tanks. Cap-punching and pumping-over, with control of temperatures (28°c maximum). Aging for 15 months in vat for Grenache and in oak barrels for the Syrah, then blended and bottled.

Tasting Notes: Ruby colored wine with purplish reflections. Nose of raspberries jam, violet, black olives. Then of white flowers aromas. Generous palate, on a round and greedy structure highlighted by very pure melted yet strengthful tannins.

PRESS

2020 – 91 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.