Maison Plantevin 2022 Cote du Rhone Rouge - OCTOBER WINE OF THE MONTH!

This isn’t the first time we’ve tried to have Plantevin as our Wine of the Month. Last year, we loved the 2021 expression of this wine and wanted to highlight it, but our supplier wasn’t getting it in stock on time, so it just wasn’t meant to be.  After sampling the 2022 vintage in early August and retrying it at the beginning of September, we as a staff knew this would also be a crowd-pleasing red wine for the fall.  Plus, look at the adorable little monster on the front!  It just screams October Wine of the Month!  Here it is at last!

Winemaker Laurent-Arnaud Plantevin is the first generation (as part of the 6th generation of vine growers of the Plantevin family) who established his own winery.  All the vineyards used by Maison Plantevin were converted to organic in 2009. The average age of the vines that produced these grapes is 25 years.  The grapes were partially hand-picked, were 100% destemmed and fermented in stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeast.  Grape skins were allowed to macerate with the juice for up to 2 weeks, which is where the wine gets its ruby red appearance.  

A blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Carignan, this red wine takes your palate on a journey you were not expecting.  Ruby grapefruit and passion fruit combine up front to bring a vibrancy and an almost thirst-quenching refreshing characteristic to the flavor profile.  Hints of cocoa add richness, but also dry the tastebuds subtly, allowing delicate white pepper flavors to become present. More fruit comes out on the finish, led by passion fruit.

This wine is so versatile, you can serve it with a chill or at room temperature.  Enjoy it with a light cheese plate, chicken or red meat.