6APR14 Françoise Roumieux GRENACHE BLEND, Côtes du Rhône, Rhône Valley, France 2023 (F, O)
6 bottle level $28 (member price $25)
80% Grenache, 20% Syrah 14.5% ABV
Clos du Calvaire (formerly Vignobles Mayard) is a 6th generation family owned winery in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The current generation (Françoise Roumieux) has a side project under her own label, with most of the fruit from the estate, supplemented by grapes from nearby growers who share her philosophy of organic sustainability. Ms. Roumieux is also President of Femmes Vignes Rhône, an organization that shines a light on women working in the Rhône wine industry. The average vine age is 50 years old, coming from a mix of sandy, alluvial and limestone soil. The varieties are fermented separately, blended, then aged for 20 months in stainless steel. Blackberry preserves, red raspberry, warm earth, black pepper
Food Pairing Suggestions:
Enjoy this full-bodied Rhone blend with beef brisket and four cheese macaroni, venison tenderloin, roast leg of lamb with mint pesto couscous, pot roast with root veggies, grilled pork chops with a basil garlic rub, slow cooked rabbit stew, black bean burgers topped with goat cheese, caramelized onion and sausage flatbread, grilled ribeye with salsa verde, coffee braised short ribs over aged cheddar potatoes, espresso rubbed rib eyes over creamy mushroom polenta, hanger steak with roasted beet salad and smoked duck rillettes. This velvety blend also pairs beautifully with strong cheeses like sharp cheddar, aged Gouda, Reblochon and Le Moulis.