Wine

Producer: Les Maou
Grape: Carignan 
Color: Red
Sparkling: -
Vintage: 2019
Country: France
Region: Rhône
Subregion: Rhône Meridional
Alcohol: 12%

Aging in wood: No
Soil: Alluvial
Added S02: No

Funkyness: Clean

Tasting Notes: Haut les Coeurs shows a light, translucent, ruby red color with purple reflexes. In the nose, there are notes of ripe dark and amarena cherries, as well as some Mediterranean brush. The attack on the palate is fresh, with a juicy mid-palate; then some fine tannins emerge. A well-incorporated acidity carries through to the end, where it finishes on light tobacco notes.

Producer: Domaine Ad Vinum
Grape: Grenache, Ugni Blanc, Gewürztraminer
Color: Rosé
Sparkling: -
Vintage: 2020
Country: France
Region: Rhône
Subregion: -
Alcohol: 14.5%

Aging in wood: No
Soil: 0
Added S02: No

Funkyness: Funky

Tasting Notes: Domaine Ad Vinum challenges the boundaries of traditional winemaking. Here, he blends a 5-day maceration of Grenache Noir with direct press Ugni Blanc, only to then mix that with Gewürztraminer lees for extra aromatic power. The result is a light red wine, that's almost a rosé. Sounds complicated but tastes heavenly glouglou. Smells of candy and undergrowth, tastes of summer.

Producer: Mouressipe
Grape: Syrah, Cinsault
Color: Red
Sparkling: Pet Nat
Vintage: 2020
Country: France
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
Subregion: -
Alcohol: 13%

Aging in wood: Yes
Soil: Clay, Limestone
Added S02: No

Funkyness: Mild

Tasting Notes: Somewhere between a light red and dark rosé, this fizzy wine is super juicy! Blackberries, raspberries and dark cherries with a small touch of funk!

Producer: Les Maou
Grape: Carignan, Aubun
Color: Red
Sparkling: Pet Nat
Vintage: 2020
Country: France
Region: Rhône
Subregion: Rhône Meridional
Alcohol: 13%

Aging in wood: No
Soil: Alluvial
Added S02: No

Funkyness: Mild

Tasting Notes: This red pet nat is like a bubbly fruit juice: notes of blackcurrant, cherries, blackberries and raspberries mingle with violets and black pepper. On the palate it's clean and juicy, well balanced with juice and a refreshing acidity. 

Producer: Les Maou
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon 
Color: Rosé
Sparkling: -
Vintage: 2020
Country: France
Region: Rhône
Subregion: Rhône Meridional
Alcohol: 13%

Aging in wood: No
Soil: Alluvial
Added S02: No

Funkyness: Mild

Tasting Notes: A light and fresh rosé from direct press Cabernet Sauvignon. Notes of red fruits and white flowers, with some herbaceous notes in the background. On the palate is has a refreshing acidity and mineral notes.

Producer: Simon Rouillard
Grape: Grenache 
Color: Red
Sparkling: -
Vintage: 2019
Country: France
Region: Rhône
Subregion: Rhône Meridional
Alcohol: 13%

Aging in wood: No
Soil: Calcareous
Added S02: No

Funkyness: Funky

Tasting Notes: Super fresh, crunchy Grenache. You just can't stop drinking it!

Producer: Eric Texier
Grape: Marsanne 
Color: White
Sparkling: -
Vintage: 2017
Country: France
Region: Rhône
Subregion: -
Alcohol: 13.5%

Aging in wood: Yes
Soil: Gneiss with Calcareous Marl
Added S02: Yes

Funkyness: Mild

Tasting Notes: This is a truly unique wine. A total of 50 ha only cultivated by 5 winegrowers at the southern limit of the northern Rhone. A rare and unique terroir to say the least and the viticulture is holistically based on the stimulation of the plant's own defenses, by various minerals and algae slurry. Vinification: Eric Texier decided to make long macerations (6 to 7 months) on destemmed skins in order to extract the aromatic precursors contained in them without having to harvest when overripe. One year old in barrel after racking of the skins. No addition of sulfite. This wine is a true hidden gem.

Producer: Eric Texier
Grape: Syrah 
Color: Red
Sparkling: -
Vintage: 2015
Country: France
Region: Rhône
Subregion: -
Alcohol: 14%

Aging in wood: Yes
Soil: Limestone Marl
Added S02: Yes

Funkyness: Mild

Tasting Notes: A rare and unique terroir to say the least and the viticulture is holistically based on the stimulation of the plant's own defenses, by various minerals and algae slurry. No destemming of the grape bunches. Submerged cap during maceration. Only native yeasts used. No use of SO2 before setting. Aging in tuns, on fine lees for 24 to 30 months. Bottling without fining or filtration. Some vintages are bottled without sulfur (2009). Character: Cold climate Syrah giving very intense notes of blackcurrant leaves and black olives. Acid / tannin type balance during the first years, and rounding off with 5 to 10 years of aging.

Producer: Eric Texier
Grape: Roussanne 
Color: White
Sparkling: -
Vintage: 2019
Country: France
Region: Rhône
Subregion: -
Alcohol: 13%

Aging in wood: No
Soil: Limestone Marls
Added S02: Yes

Funkyness: Clean

Tasting Notes: Direct vertical pressing. Fermentation completely with native yeasts in open concrete vats. No use of SO2 before setting. Aging in barrels on fine lees for 8 months. Bottling, if possible, without fining or filtration. Maximum SO2 addition of 30ppm at setting Taste characteristics: The Brézème terroir gives this Roussanne a particular character and elegance, often expressed by a touch of salinity (like certain Arvines from Valais). An absolutely enticing and delicious wine.

Producer: Eric Texier
Grape: Syrah 
Color: Red
Sparkling: -
Vintage: 2018
Country: France
Region: Rhône
Subregion: -
Alcohol: 12.5%

Aging in wood: Yes
Soil: Limestone Marls
Added S02: Yes

Funkyness: Mild

Tasting Notes: No destemming and maceration of the grapes with a submerged cap. Only native yeasts for fermentation. No use of SO2 before setting. Aging in large vats and 600 liter oak barrels called in the Rhone valley ‘Demi-Muid’, on fine lees for 14 to 18 months. Bottling without fining or filtration. Taste characteristics: This cold climate Syrah gives notes of violet, blackcurrant leaves and sometimes very intense black olives. The balance is acid / tannin during the first few years, rounding off with 2 to 3 years of aging. Very "wild" wine with a strong personality. Rustic and rounded cuisine during its youth. Game on evolution.

Producer: Eric Texier
Grape: Grenache, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne 
Color: Red
Sparkling: -
Vintage: 2018
Country: France
Region: Rhône
Subregion: -
Alcohol: 12.5%

Aging in wood: No
Soil: Granite and Gneiss
Added S02: Yes

Funkyness: Mild

Tasting Notes: Manual sorting on the table. Partial destemming of the grape bunches. Fermentation completely with native yeasts in open concrete vats. No use of SO2 before setting. Affinage in concrete vats on fine lees for 12 to 18 months. Bottling without fining or filtration. Taste characteristics: A blend of fresh fruit loaded with spices, intense fruit aromas. Vinified to be approachable from a young age, this wine nevertheless has enough structure to stand up to tasty and rustic cuisines. Grills, roast meats, cheeses – a truly delicious allrounder also known as all day drinker.

Producer: Les Maou
Grape: Aubun, Carignan 
Color: Red
Sparkling: -
Vintage: 2019
Country: France
Region: Rhône
Subregion: Rhône Meridional
Alcohol: 13.5%

Aging in wood: No
Soil: Alluvial
Added S02: No

Funkyness: Clean

Tasting Notes: The biggest, grandest of the Les Maoù line-up is this blend of late-harvested and semi-carbonically macerated Carignan and Aubun — bursting with ultra-ripe red berries and dark plums, but balanced with freshness and a beautiful tannic structure on the finish. This is sure to be one of the best wines to warm your soul

Producer: Domaine de Lorient
Grape: Syrah 
Color: Red
Sparkling: -
Vintage: 2018
Country: France
Region: Rhône
Subregion: Rhône Septentrional
Alcohol: 12%

Aging in wood: Yes
Soil: Granitic
Added S02: No

Funkyness: Mild

Tasting Notes: Producers of white wines mainly, this young couple of winemakers also produces beautiful vintages of red wines and this Cornas has caught our eye! Intense and complex, it will stand the test of time with grace!

Producer: Domaine de Lorient
Grape: Roussanne, Marsanne 
Color: White
Sparkling: -
Vintage: 2019
Country: France
Region: Rhône
Subregion: Rhône Septentrional
Alcohol: 12%

Aging in wood: Yes
Soil: Granitic
Added S02: No

Funkyness: Mild

Tasting Notes: Pronounced aromas of tropical, apricot, green apple, honey, slight almond and smoke, spices. Powerful and balanced with refined acidity.

Producer: Le Mas de l'Escarida
Grape: Sauvignon 
Color: White
Sparkling: -
Vintage: 2019
Country: France
Region: Rhône
Subregion: Ardèche
Alcohol: 11.5%

Aging in wood: Yes
Soil: Granitic Sandstone
Added S02: No

Funkyness: Funky

Tasting Notes: Bottled under cork with a little residual sugar to finish fermentation in bottle. It resulted in a very refreshing light fizz, clean, herbal and a lot of fun. A high altitude Sauvignon with more attitude than we’ve ever tasted before! This is low intervention at its best, the fruit really shining through. Beautiful green fruit, with plenty of tension, gripping acidity and electric structure

Producer: Domaine des Miquettes
Grape: Viognier 
Color: Orange
Sparkling: -
Vintage: 2019
Country: France
Region: Rhône
Subregion: Rhône Septentrional
Alcohol: 12.5%

Aging in wood: No
Soil: Granitic
Added S02: No

Funkyness: Mild

Tasting Notes: From loose granite soils, 10 days of whole cluster carbonic maceration, then whole crop pressed, fermented in amphorae, aged 12 months. Fine tannins, a pure and delicate wine.

Producer: Domaine des Miquettes
Grape: Syrah 
Color: Red
Sparkling: -
Vintage: 2019
Country: France
Region: Rhône
Subregion: Rhône Septentrional
Alcohol: 14%

Aging in wood: No
Soil: Granitic
Added S02: No

Funkyness: Mild

Tasting Notes: Very dark black-purple color. Blackberry, spice and violet. Dark and mineral.

Producer: Domaine Lolita Sene
Grape: Grenache 
Color: Red
Sparkling: -
Vintage: 2019
Country: France
Region: Rhône
Subregion: Rhône Meridional
Alcohol: 13%

Aging in wood: No
Soil: Clay
Added S02: No

Funkyness: Funky

Tasting Notes: Limpid, light ruby red colour, with the presence of small sediments due to the absence of filtration. Fairly consistent in the glass, with discreet softness. The nose is pretty intense and with a pleasing complexity. Aromas of cherry schnapps, acetone, poison ivy, earth, white pepper and some tobacco. In the mouth it is moderately dry, with a nice alcoholic note and fresh tannins.