Rouchier Antraigue Syrah VDF 2020

Grape Syrah

A declassified Saint Joseph from the domaine's younger vines. Freshness balanced in power plays a welcome contrast to the label's more briney reds.

This small family Domaine of 1.5 hectares is situated in the heart of the Saint-Joseph appellation, in Ardèche, the Northern section of the Rhône wine region in Southern France. Although her family had for many years supplied grapes to a large local négociant, Martine Rouchier and her husband, Christian, determined in 2010 to begin making their own wine.

They immediately began converting their vineyards to organic viticulture, a process that they completed beginning with the 2013 vintage. By 2015, Martine and Christian were practicing not only completely organic and biodynamic farming and fermentation. but also fully “natural” winemaking, in that their Saint-Joseph is made entirely without added sulfur.

Wildly funky Syrah at the gateway to St. Joseph, with all the delicacies of southern France. Easy-drinking and very dark in color. A moment of effervescence, then depth, garrigue and old-fashioned flavors. The nose is rich and straightforward: smoke, leather, spices, violets, rose. On the palate, a moment of sparkle, then depth, garrigue, olive and acid plum flavors, with fine but present tannins.