Les Vignerons D' Estezargues, Les Genestas 2023

Producer: Les Vignerons D' Estezargues
Region: Estézargues, Rhone Valley, Southern France
Grape Varieties: Grenache 50%, Syrah 30%, Mourvèdre & Counoise  20%
Viticulture: Organic
Category: Red
Size: 750ml

Just some twenty minutes from the famed medieval city of Avignon (Chateauneuf du Pape, anyone?), in an eponymous village, Les Vignerons d’Estézargues operates a very rare kind of co-operative. The caves co-op, as they call them in France, are a traditional and still very important part of the wine landscape, especially in the South, as sharing know-how and the cost of cellar space and equipment brings important synergies to the participating growers. In most cases, the co-ops make conventional wines in large batches and process grapes from many different vineyards together, focusing on quantity and cost-efficiency rather than quality or environmental respect. Les Vignerons D’ Estézargues, on the other hand, is a whole different animal on both accounts.

The name of this vineyard and cuvée comes from the strong presence of Spanish broom plants (Spartium junceum – genet in French), abundant on the site. A single-vineyard with good exposure and a touch of Counoise, an indigenous South-Rhone Valley grape that brings a pleasantly spicy touch to the wine.

Ruby red in the glass with a pretty amethyst rim. The nose is redolent with smoky notes of cassis, blackberries, dried orange peel, and sweet spice. The palate is a plush and delectable expression of red and black fruits backed by brambly tannins and the wine finishes with a supple dash of orange zest and black pepper. Perfect with all kinds of grilled things!