Domaine Rouge Bleu Dentelle Rouge

While Rouge Bleu is fairly new on the scene (founded in 2007), young vignerons Carolina Jones and Thomas Bertrand are making some of the top values in the Southern Rhone. With vineyards in the new Cotes du Rhone village of Saint Cecile, just north of Orange and Chateauneuf du Pape, the duo are doing everything the right way. Organic and biodynamic farming, hand harvesting, ambient yeasts, and minimal fining, filtration, and sulfur additions. It all adds up to delicious wines, and their Dentelle Rouge, a blend of 60% Carignan and 40% Grenache drinks like a top-flight Cotes du Rhone. Plump, juicy, supple, and smooth, it exhibits notes of warm and ripe berries, white pepper, Provencal herbs, and just a hint of nutmeg. You will not find a better Southern Rhone value in the shop.