VDP de la Principauté d'Orange 2021 Domaine Charvin | Rhône

From the expert hand of Laurent Charvin, this Vin de Pays de la Principauté d'Orange expresses an approach to Grenache and Merlot that is out of the ordinary in the southern Rhône Valley. Laurent Charvin, already renowned for his exceptional Châteauneuf du Pape wines, produces here a red wine that is simpler, but with redoubtable delicacy and precision. The Merlot plot was planted in 1999 at Campredon, while the Grenache plot at Les Mereuilles dates back to 1955 and 1973. The vines are planted on clay-limestone and stony soils , giving the wine structure, intense fruitiness and surprising freshness for the region.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin: The À Côté cuvée illustrates Laurent Charvin's mastery of blending. The proportion of Grenache and Merlot varies according to the vintage, but one characteristic remains: the balance between the ardor of the Merlot and the roundness of the Grenache. Less rooted in tradition, this wine embodies a more modern, offbeat vision of Southern Rhône wines.

On the nose, the wine opens with aromas of ripe red fruits such as cherry and crushed strawberry, complemented by notes of licorice, garrigue, black pepper and thyme. As the wine airs, hints of black plum, violet and cocoa enrich the bouquet, testifying to the richness of the terroir and the precision of the ageing.

On the palate, the ripeness of red and black fruits is enhanced by a fresh acidity that balances the richness of the fruit. Grenache adds a hint of pepper and structure on the finish. The finish is persistent, marked by flavors of stewed fruit and a subtle bitterness of very sapid cocoa.