Domaine Jaume Vinsobres Altitude 420 2017

Richard Jaume makes an absolute knock out old-vine Grenache-Syrah blend from vineyards planted at some of the highest points in the Rhône. The man simply has a knack for making super food-friendly, juicy wines perfect for outdoor dining. The Jaumes have farmed their estate in Vinsobres for well over 100 years now. Their old vines thrive on the mineral soil of Vinsobres, one of my favorite villages for Tuesday night wine in the southern Rhone. For Richard, their wine is all about the fruit, leading to pristine, fresh wines, tailor-made for anyone’s house red and a slam dunk for any kind of meat on the bone.

Their Altitude 420 blend consists of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, grown on a breezy terrace in “Les Collines.” As one of the four Crus of Vinsobres, the vineyard towers over the medieval village. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks, perfectly preserving a wide range of bright red fruit aromas, orange rind and floral flavors that flow from the bottle. In the glass, the wine has a deep royal purple color, almost black at the center. Plenty of secondary garrigue aromatics emerge in the nose, including wild blackberries, ripe cherries, a citrus zest, and dried lavender, making it an ideal match for pizzas with veggie toppings, food from the grill, and most red meats.

It’s a Saturday night quality wine at a Tuesday night price. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to get my hands on this beauty. Don’t miss out.