Oratoire St Martin Cairanne Haut Coustias Rouge 2021

Oratoire St Martin Cairanne Haut Coustias Rouge is the domaine’s flagship red, made from 65-year-old vines on its highest plot of blue clay.

Cairanne was promoted from Côtes du Rhône Villages to its own cru in 2016, and Oratoire Saint Martin is among the estates that made the case for it. Haut Coustias comes from the highest plot on the property, rocky and limestone-rich with blue clay, planted to vines of around 65 years. The blend is 45 per cent Mourvèdre, 45 per cent Grenache and 10 per cent Syrah, a far higher Mourvèdre share than is usual in the southern Rhône. The farming is biodynamic and production is limited to about 8,000 bottles a year. Grapes are sorted three times — in the vineyard, then before and after destemming — and the wine ferments naturally in concrete before ten months in 22-hectolitre wooden foudres. The style leans towards limestone: full-bodied, but tapered and fine rather than broad.

There is no hurry here, though it already shows well at the table and will keep for a decade. Serve at 16-18°C with slow-roasted lamb shoulder, beef daube or a hard sheep’s cheese.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.