Rasteau: Domaine Saint Gayan 'Ilex' 2018

A strapping Rasteau wine with dark ruby colour, copious quantities of chocolate and black cherry flavours and warming tannins. This warming blend of Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Syrah out-punches and out-points many a Châteauneuf\' and is just the kind of wine to cosset one through a chilly winter. An excellent Rasteau called \'Ilex\' (after Quercus Ilex the endemic species of oak tree) that achieved full A.O.C. status in the 2010 vintage. It hails from a broadly similar blend to the Domaine Saint Gayan Gigondas and, although not quite as concentrated and powerful, the Rasteau is still a bold, fruit-packed wine. It is ideally suited to earthy stews and casseroles and will age well for 5 to 10 years if properly cellared. The blend usually comprises around 65% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah, vintage dependent.From vines with an average age of 35+ years, on 5 hectares of argilo-calcaire (clay-limestone) soils, these relatively low-yielding vines (30hl/ha) produce concentrated, darkly-fruited juice. Hand-harvested berries are fermented and aged in a mixture of stainless-steel and concrete tanks. Rasteau: Domaine Saint Gayan \'Ilex\' 2018. Domaine Saint Gayan (Jean-Pierre Meffre). Rhône Wine > Rasteau Wine. Red Wine