Wine of the Week 4/7/20

Domaine Pontbriand Pays de Vaucluse

Regularly $13.99/On sale for $10.96

The name “Vaucluse” comes from the medieval Latin “Vallis Clausa” (closed valley). The region is largely mountainous and contains such illustrious southern Rhône appellations as Vacqueyras, Gigondas, and Châteauneuf du Pâpe.

How does the Merle family make such a wine on their ten hectare estate? Some 35 years ago, they planted innovative grape varieties such as Caladoc (a crossing of Malbec and Grenache) and Marselan (a crossing of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec)  alongside their Grenache in clay and limestone soils. Today these vines are in their prime and repaying the risks taken back in the day.

Owner and winemaker Francois Merle is a second generation winemaker, taking over the estate his father, Paul, first leased in 1954. The vineyards are unusually low-lying for the Vaucluse, only 183 feet above sea level near the town of Orange, within sight of Mont Ventoux.

40% Grenache, 40% Caladoc, Syrah 10%, Marselan 10%

100% Delicious.