2019 Domaine Santa Duc Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau Ouest, Rhone, France

Santa Duc ascended, best known for their incredibly old vine Gigondas, really landed on the world stage in 1985 as a pioneer of organic viticulture under the care of its indomitable vigneron, Yves Gras. It was during this same time they carved out and invested in their Chateauneuf holdings. La Crau Ouest being their most prized parcel. Its the northeast of the appellation, it’s one of the most storied terroirs in Chteauneuf. One hectare with east-facing slopes, the vines were planted in the 1930s in stony, sandy soils from the Miocene epoch.

The wine is all grenache. Hand harvested in crates with sorting in the vineyard, followed by a second on the sorting table. Partially destemmed. The percentage of destemmed grapes is decided according to the vintage and the plots. Gravity vatting and fermentation for 20 to 30 days in stainless steel vats under controlled temperatures. Two long daily pumpings. Malolactic fermentation in tank. Aged for 18 months in terracotta amphora , bottling without fining or filtration.