2019 Côtes-du-Rhône Lieu-Dit Clavin Dom la Vieille Julienne

A very drinkable, fresh and surprisingly well-balanced Côtes du Rhône from this hot vintage. Vibrant, juicy acidity and fairly firm tannins on the long finish suggest that this has several years ahead of it and is likely to improve. Very authentic. Not cheap for a Côtes du Rhône, but ignore the appellation in this case, this is an excellent wine. From a plot of vines next to the winery that lies just outside the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. Three months in concrete, 18 months in foudre and another year in bottle before release - they take the winemaking seriously here.

Moving to the 2019s from bottle, the Côtes Du Rhône Lieu-Dit Clavin always shows the style of this estate as well as the vintage, and the 2019 is well worth seeking out. Black cherries, gravelly earth, spicy herbs, and violet notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, floral, seamless Côtes du Rhône that does everything right.