Domaine Roche, Cairanne 2016, Rhone, France

Tasting Note: On the border of the northern and southern Rhone lies Cairanne which sits just above Chateauneuf-du-pape.

By law, red wines from Cairanne must be a minimum of 50% grenache and at least 20% syrah and/or mourvedre.

You can definitely taste the impact of the non-grenache grapes which give this red blend heft and body.

Deep-intensity purple in color, this wine has an aromatic nose of black plum, strawberry, kirsch, raspberry and violet petal.

On the palate the dry, medium-plus-bodied red blend delivers concentrated, medium-plus-intensity flavors suggested on the nose supported by medium acidity and completing with a berry-infused, medium-plus finish.

There is midpalate complexity and a range of flavors.

Ripe fruit and lively body make this wine a delight.

Bottle Note: Domaine Roche is 20 hectares of vineyards, 50 years old. It is located in the Southern Rhone Valley, in Cairanne, on a terroir of clay-limestone. This wine is a blend of grenache and syrah.