Domaine des Romarins
Côte du Rhône AC and Côte du Rhône Villages AC

Domazan is a small sleepy old village; hiding in one of the back streets is this dynamic producer. The vineyard consists principally of banks of pebbles from the ancient course of the River Rhône, just as in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The similarity does not stop there. The grape varieties are the same and the wines are made in the same heady, alcoholic, bucolic style.

In the Côte du Rhône there is the generous, rich, plummy fruit from the Grenache contrasted against the aromatic yet severe “ink and bell-pepper” character of the Syrah. Concentration of flavour is enhanced with the addition of Carignan grapes from very old vines. A top Côte du Rhône with concentration and character. “A ripe, very smooth palate. Very sophisticated with good tannins.” Charles Metcalfe. Order this wine

The best vineyard makes the Villages wine which has greater finesse and more, ripe tannin. A part of the wine from the Syrah grapes was aged in new oak casks in the 2000 vintage to give extra complexity. A very serious and well made wine, which would benefit from cellaring. “Ripe blackcherry fruit, savoury – yum! Savoury, ripe, complex, lovely, rich and full-bodied with some oak and firm tannins.” Charles Metcalfe. Order this wine