Driving towards Vaison-la-Romaine, just northeast of Rasteau lies the village of Roaix, Côtes du Rhône Villages since 1967. Situated at an altitude between 150 and 350 meters above sea level, the vineyards of this community are spread out on two quite different terroirs. While the lowest part takes its power from alluvial, quaternary terraces (a rather common soil type of the southern Rhone valley), the vines growing at the piedmont and the slopes of the Montagne de Ventabren root in rocky sand soils (locally called Safres) and, higher up in red clay. Exposed to the hot Mediterranean climate and the northern Mistral wind, the genuine secret of the vineyards of Roaix is to be found in the northeastern exposition of the Montage de Ventabren. It confers surprising acidity and fine tannins to grapes and wines, which will be specially appreciated in hot vintages.

We recently acknowledged this in our cellar during a vertical tasting of our Santa Duc Roaix “Les Crottes”, especially on the wines from so-called Mediterranean vintages. 2010 crispy and fruity, 2009 mild and spicy, 2008 delicate and flowery, 2007 ripe, full and straight, 2006 powerful and long…

Wines and vintages that are still available – a secret to be shared with friends and clients…