Lunch Wine

Domaine de l' Oratoire St. Martin, Cairanne, Réserve des Seigneurs ($19) -- Cote du Rhone. Imported by Vintner Select in Cincinnati. I missed the vintage on the wine list today at lunch but enjoyed this pleasant full-bodied wine. Subtle nose, full fruit, medium finish with no sharp edges. Good acidity for food. I will be bringing this one into the shop.

The label here is from a different vintage. The wine list said it was a Syrah, Grenache blend. (But, they also listed the producer as Cairanne, which is the village.) One website suggested that it is a Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah blend (60/30/10) from 50 year-old vines with 9 to 12 months aging in tanks, but each vintage is probably different.

The owners have passed down the property, which is 200 meters from Rasteau, from father to son for 300 years. Yields are low and there is no fining or filtering for the wines, and they use no pesticides or fertilizer in the vineyards. Enough data already, just enjoy the wine!

Purple Liquid visited the property in 2005.