This wine hails from Rasteau, located within the southern Rhône Valley, an area celebrated for producing expressive and generous wines. While the cuvée is non-vintage, a feature somewhat unusual for red wines but not uncommon for fortified or sweet wines from this origin, it likely reflects a house style consistent over multiple harvests. Domaine La Colline Bleue has crafted this bottling as a red, apparently in a dry style, which suggests a significant departure from the region’s better-known Vins Doux Naturels. The grape blend is not specified, but Rasteau reds typically rely on Grenache, occasionally supported by Syrah and Mourvèdre, delivering opulent fruit with spicy undertones. Expect a wine marked by notes of ripe black fruits—plum, blackberry, perhaps some spicy or earthy elements, depending on the exact blend and vinification employed.
Rasteau sits at the heart of the southern Rhône, with sunny, Mediterranean-influenced weather, hot summers and mild winters. The vineyards are rooted in stony, calcareous soils that retain heat and promote optimal grape ripening. This terroir, with its round pebbles and clay-limestone mix, is excellent for encouraging the kind of full-bodied, richly concentrated wines that Rasteau is known for, whether they are dry or sweet. The region itself has a storied history, with its grenache-based fortified reds achieving official AOC status and a growing reputation for increasingly complex dry reds as well.
A dry Rasteau pairs beautifully with hearty Provençal cuisine and Mediterranean-inspired fare. Think of slow-braised lamb with rosemary and garlic, grilled sausages, or a robust ratatouille to bring out its rustic core. Regional offerings such as daube provençale or a platter of aged local cheeses would be equally fitting, harnessing the wine’s natural generosity and spice.
For optimal enjoyment, decant the wine for around 30 minutes prior to serving to allow its aromatic complexity to unfold. Serve at a temperature of 16-18°C; this will best highlight the expressive fruit and the wine’s plush, structured tannins, crafting a thoroughly satisfying Rhône experience.
