2022 Saint Damien, Vieilles Vignes 'Plan de Dieu', Cotes-du-Rhone, France

Domaine Saint-Damien, managed by Joel and Amie Saurel, has a winemaking legacy dating back to 1821 and has been family-run for four generations. Initially selling grapes to negociants, the estate began producing its own wine in 1998 with the help of consulting winemaker Philippe Cambie. Currently, the estate spans 45 hectares, with all vineyards certified organic since 2012. The vines are on average 50 years old and the yield are very small. The resulting wines are magnificent. Why do we like it? The Plan de Dieu means God’s Plan, a beautiful commune within Cote du Rhone appellation, capable of producing very good wines. The Grenache in their vineyards is 70 years old. Mature for 10 months in a mix of concrete tanks and large oak foudres, it is a wine that exudes rich aromas of ripe black cherries, strawberries, herbs de Provence, dried meat and pepper. It’s such a balance wine, rich but velvety and elegant at the same time Grape            80% Grenache & 20% Mourvedre Country        France                                  Region          Southern Rhone                          Vintage         2022