For more than 200 years Domaine La Soumade has been in the hands of the Romero family, who continue to work the soil in the ancient traditions. It is Andre Romero who is producing minuscule amounts of some of the most amazing wines in the southern Rhone.

Domaine de La Soumade is situated in the commune of Rasteau, between Orange and Vaison-la-Romaine, with wonderful views of Mont Ventoux. The Domaine is composed of several parcels of land, the greater portion of which sits on stony hillsides with a total of 24 hectares.

But Romero is also a great student of wine, and keeps up to date on the most modern techniques from around the world.  Self-taught and adhering to the virtues of low yields and extended fermentation, Romero has invested in an automatic pigeage system along Burgundian lines which ensures maximum extraction. The resulting wine is soft, yet sturdy, with berry flavours and a whiff of wood-smoke betraying its provenance.  André is also, in large part, responsible for Rasteau getting it’s AOC status for still wine.

This blend of very old vine Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre is heady and powerful, with raspberry, white pepper, fig, cocoa, coffee, smoke and layers of jammy, intense fruit.  Try it with Daube (Provençal stew of lamb and olives), barbecue pork, hard to semi-soft cheese and venison.  Drink now – 2016.