Côtes du Rhône Village Roaix L'As du Pique 2024 Pique-Basse | Rhône

Domaine Pique-Passe’s “L’As du Pique” cuvée is a blend of three grape varieties: Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. The oldest vines are over 40 years old and are located on the slopes of the Ventabren massif, on a southeast-facing plot with sandy soils. Yields there are very low, at about 25 to 30 hectoliters per hectare. All of this results in a wine of great purity. The work put into this cuvée is exceptional and yields wines that are powerful yet always balanced. The low yields and organic farming practices produce a wine with a depth rarely found in this appellation.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin: The Roaix appellation is the smallest in the Côtes du Rhône Village region and, above all, one of the least well-known. On this sandy terroir, Grenache dominates, revealing beautiful ripeness and distinct aromas. Olivier Tropet, the winemaker at Domaine Pique Basse, makes it a point of honor to manage his vineyards in the most environmentally friendly way possible to produce the best wine he can. It is with the utmost humility and simplicity that he produces, in my opinion, the finest Côtes du Rhône Villages in terms of value for enjoyment.

On the nose, Grenache clearly dominates, opening with notes of blackcurrant liqueur, orange peel, and morello cherries, and lingering with smokier and spicier notes.

On the palate, it’s smooth, with slightly firm tannins. Notes of ripe black fruit are complemented by hints of white pepper, mild spice, and a subtle balsamic quality. The whole is perfectly balanced with a lovely structure.

I highly recommend it.