Chateau L’ermite D’auzan Gavroche Rouge, 2022.

Chateau L’ermite D’auzan Gavroche Rouge, 2022.

This is a friendly easy drinking, fun red wine ( Grenache 80%, Syrah 20% blend) from the Rhone region in France 🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷

I was rather excited to learn that the Castillo family, 10 generations of winemakers (wow!!), farm their grapes using both organic and biodynamic methods (this requires it's own post to explain sometime, but biodynamic in a nutshell is essentially all the good practices of organic grape growing plus holistically treating the vines/ grape growing as an entire ecosystem in line with nature). 🏞️

These particular grapes are grown on 10 year old vines, and they sit on a pebble bed which is great for retaining heat at night by reflecting this heat back to the vines for a juicy ripening (think hot stone massage! 🪨 💆), whilst also aiding drainage for the vines.

After harvesting, the grapes are chilled for 3 days, then there is a natural ferment at controlled temperatures

👃👅I was getting hit up by aromas of red bramble fruits, crunchy green herby notes, redcurrants and raspberries. I'm so used to secondary and tertiary notes in the red wine I drink; so at first it's a little odd not to experience the smooth creamy silky textures or earth tones of a barrel fermented and aged red. Yes instantly that gap is filled by the smooth tannins and fruity flavours. It manages to be fun, yet sophisticated, and it's no surprise this is brought into the world from experienced wine makers!

At only around £11 per bottle from @aitkenwines_1874 and supplied by @boutinotwines - this is one to have ready for a summer BBQ and would go nicely slightly chilled. Thanks to Sarah from @boutinotwines for introducing this to me. 👏🙌