Domaine La Manarine Cotes du Rhone 2019

Grenache may have originated in Spain, but one of its spiritual homes is undoubtedly southern France, and specifically the Rhône valley, where it reaches its greatest soaring heights. Places like Châteauneuf-du-Pape produce weighty, impressive Grenache wines with layers of velvety fruit, savory spices and smoke. 

But just because Châteauneuf makes the most age-worthy Grenache wines in France doesn’t mean there’s not tremendous wines found nearby. Côtes-du-Rhône gives us a guidebook to Grenache that is ready to drink and enjoy at a young age, and this Domaine Manarine is a shimmering example.

Gilles Gasq is the winemaker and proprietor of Domaine Manarine, which he founded in 2001. He learned the ropes working at Domaine Monpertuis in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. A commitment to low-impact organic viticulture and a desire to express purity of fruit and grape variety permeates every wine. 

This 2019 Côtes du Rhône is a dark rosy color, and leads with roasted strawberry notes typical of southern Rhône Grenache. A basket of exotic spices and fruits comes forth as you swirl the glass. Orange peel, cardamom, white pepper, rosemary and lavender. This is a richly-fruited but dry wine with immense character.