The Souteronne is made from only old Gamay grapes. The vines are between 60 to 80 years old. The winemaking involves a long maceration at low temperature, without destemming the grapes and the juice is matured on the fine lees, in second-hand oak casks. It is then bottled without filtration. The SO2 is less than 25mg/l when bottled. The depth of colour of this wine is sensational and the nose billows out of the glass to reveal fresh red and dark fruits. The palate is something else – this is a truly superb Gamay with a lovely mineral edge as if granite had melted seamlessly into a wine.
DOMAINE ROMANEAUX-DESTEZET, HERVE & BEATRICE SOUHAUT, Saint Joseph – Organic
Domaine Romaneaux-Destezet was created in 1993 by Hervé Souhaut. His holdings on the acidic granite soils of the northern Rhône and the southern Ardèche are a mixture of new and ancient vines—from 50 to100 years old.
Hervé Souhaut’s holdings are minuscule, only five hectares and he employs only organic and biodynamic winemaking techniques. The Syrah grapes for his VDP cuvée come from a tiny parcel of land along the slopes of the Doux River and the vines are on average 40 years old.
At the end of September, the grapes are harvested and then undergo a very long maceration at a low temperature. The wine is then matured on the lees in second-hand oak casks for six months and then bottled without being filtered.