Why it matters
The producer
Domaine Clos Romane makes red wines under the Cairanne and Côtes du Rhône appellations. Since July 2022, the domaine has been in conversion to organic farming under Ecocert.
The wines spend 10 months in vats, then 12 to 18 months in 600 liter oak barrels. Bottling takes place without fining or filtration, leaving the wine's natural suspended material in place.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Cairanne and Côtes du Rhône put two geographic names on the domaine's labels. Cairanne fruit is hand harvested, sorted and destemmed before fermenting for more than 30 days on clay limestone soils.
The long fermentation follows the sorting work closely. Grapes enter the cellar by hand, with damaged or unripe fruit removed before the destemmed harvest begins its extended fermentation.
Wines to know
The range in view
The range has two 2023 red wines, Cairanne Domaine Clos Romane and Côtes du Rhône Domaine Clos Romane. Cairanne 2022 is a red blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. The Côtes du Rhône Domaine Clos Romane is 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 20% Carignan.
Cairanne 2022 shows olive tapenade beside rich cherry and plum fruit, with peppery spice, chalky mineral notes, silky tannins and a savoury cured meat finish.