Biodynamic. The Oratoire vineyards are located on steep hills in two climats of Cairanne: Saint-Martin and Les Douyes. This is a blend of 60-plus-year-old vines from both terroirs: mostly from the yellow clay and limestone of Saint-Martin; with a little fruit from their limestone-rich Les Douyes vineyard. The yields can dip as low as 20 hl/ha depending on the vintage. It is a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah, with a sprinkling of whole-bunch Carignan and Counoise. Following fermentation with indigenous yeast in concrete vats, the wine was matured for 12 months and bottled without fining or filtration. Only a touch of sulphur was used at bottling.

We’re in mini-Châteauneuf territory. There are hints of spiced plum jam plus a little game flavour from the Mourvèdre. The palate is rich, succulent, and packed with flavours of black fruit and wild berries laced with black olive and liquorice. A wine of the south! A weave of tannin brings a fine structure to balance the generosity. This is for those who like their Rhône with real horsepower. Decanting will only add to the pleasure.