This Is Why Rasteau Finally Got Its Own Appellation

Domaine La Soumade Rasteau 2022 Link to Purchase Wine: https://www.winex.com/domaine-la-soumade-rasteau-2022.html Link to Glasses: https://www.winex.com/fontaine-premier-universal-wine-glass.html Join our Daily Email Offer List: https://cdn.forms-content.sg-form.com/f3da488a-d10b-11ee-94a3-62718bdc6118 Let’s talk about a real Rhône insider wine. Rasteau is one of those southern Rhône villages that serious Rhône drinkers have known about for years, long before it became its own appellation. For decades, these wines were quietly bottled as Côtes du Rhône Villages and snapped up by people who knew what they were looking at. That changed in 2010 when Rasteau earned its own appellation. The reason is simple. The wines here are different. Domaine La Soumade is one of the reference producers of the appellation. The Roméro family was already making exceptional Rasteau long before the official status arrived, and critics like Robert Parker were singing their praises back in the 1990s. This bottling is the estate’s calling card. It comes from south facing slopes just north of Châteauneuf du Pape, where Grenache thrives. The vineyards are slightly cooler than Châteauneuf but still soak up plenty of sun, giving you ripe, expressive fruit with more freshness and energy. The wine is dominated by Grenache and made in classic southern Rhône fashion. No new oak. No makeup. Mostly concrete and older vessels to keep the fruit tight, focused, and vibrant. In the glass, this wine is pure Rasteau. Ripe red fruit, licorice, subtle spice, and a touch of pepper. It is juicy and energetic, not heavy or ponderous. The balance is what stands out. There is ripeness without excess and structure without toughness. This wine was rated in the low to mid 90s by critics, but honestly, that almost undersells how good it is for the money. Here is the part that matters. This wine is $15. That is not a typo. For a benchmark producer, from a serious southern Rhône appellation, made with this level of care and pedigree, this price is almost impossible. California cannot touch this at anywhere near the same level. If you like Rhône wines, Grenache based reds, or simply want one of the best everyday red wine values in the store, this is a must buy. Grab a few bottles. You will thank yourself later.