Description
Saintpierre is a deep, dark red color with purple hues. It is full-bodied and vibrant revealing lovely elements of tart cherry, leather, spice and earth on the nose. Lush and long on the palate, with notes of sour raspberry jam, blueberry compote and blackcurrant, it is a true Southern Rhf4ne red that is reminiscent of its neighbors across the river (Che2teauneuf, Gigondas or Vacqueyras). Jammy red fruit balances with a linear acidity making this low-yield cuve9e one of the more stunning from the region.
Producer Description
In 1996, Claudie and Bertrand Cortellini decided to take their family vineyards to the next level. The family used to sell their crop to the local cooperative, but with such fabulous vineyard parcels at the foot of the Southern Rhone’s iconic Pont du Gard, the Cortellinis longed to bottle their own wines using ancestral methods. With the help of close friends and partners, they have made their dream come true, but not without effort.By design, they farm their 30 hectares (75 acres) of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault exclusively organically in the famous limestone soils of St Hilaire d’Ozilhan and Castillon du Gard. While the terroir facilitates these stricter farming methods, it is certainly more labor intensive. To achieve the succulent approachability, freshness and fine tannins they seek for their wine, they de-stem 100% of the crop, age in traditional cement tanks, and bottle their wines unfined and lightly filtered. Their Cf4tes du Rhf4ne is a true classic, the stuff of dreams-rich and spicy, yet effortlessly graceful and fresh.