Côtes du Rhône rouge 'Les Oliviers' is made from organically-grown Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault. Ripe black and red fruit aromas with typical Southern garrigue and pepper notes. Lovely softness in the mouth with velvety tannins and confit fruits building across the palate, hints of tobacco and leather and a nice streak of acidity from the Syrah as well as some spicy blackcurrant fruit. Delicious and comforting.
The wine is part of 'Terroirs Project', a cooperation between local vignerons and Les Caves de Pyrene. The aim is to produce honest wines from plots farmed organically, with minimal intervention in the winery and coming out to the public at democratic prices.
Les Vignerons d'Estezargues is a Rhône cooperative based in the village of Estézargues. It was founded in 1965 and consists of 10 independent vignerons who farm a total of 420 hectares. This excellent coop is set apart by the fact that only 'natural' wine making procedures are adopted - no external yeasts, no fining, no enzymes and so on - all of which contribute to very precise and structured wines. Jean-François Nicq, of Foulards Rouges fame was once (and for many years) the resident winemaker there.