Domaine La Manarine 2021 Cotes du Rhone AOC

Winemaking Notes: The standard bearer of the Domaine La Manarine is the Côtes du Rhône Rouge produced from the estate's younger vines with an average age of 35 years old. The grapes are destemmed before spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel tank and fiberglass. Maceration lasts around 3 weeks. The wine ages in stainless steel and enameled tanks. It is bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Tasting Notes: This wine is 100% Grenache and produces a classically spicy, full-bodied wine that speaks clearly of the garrigue of the region. This Côtes du Rhône has lots of character and originality but still rustic.

Terroir Notes: Domaine La Manarine now encompasses 18 hectares of vineyards situated primarily on what is known as the "Le Plan de Dieu" (God's plain). This terroir has been recognized as unique for generations. Recent research has identified the particular character of the underlying soil: a deep layer consisting of more than 60% hard limestone "galets roulés" (large smooth pebbles). They impart character, facilitate drainage, and radiate heat during the cooler nights. The climate is typically Mediterranean: relatively hot and dry with an average rainfall of between 600 and 800 mm per year. The rains usually come in the form of thunderstorms in late August, which provide the vines with the water necessary to finish the maturation process.