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RHONE VALLEY
TERROIRS
tures overnight”. The resultant wines benefit from
these outstanding conditions and show distinctive
fresh fruit notes and silky, elegant tannins that
guarantee good cellaring capacity.
PHILIPPE WALLON, THE OWNER OF DOMAINE LE MIRABEAU
DOMAINE SAINT VINCENT:
UNIQUE NORTHERN CHARACTERS
PHILIPPE LESCOCHE, THE WINEGROWER AND OWNER AT
DOMAINE SAINT VINCENT IN THE CELLAR DOOR FACILITIES
Domaine Saint Vincent was established in 1920
but reached a turning point in its history in 2012.
After being owned by three generations of the
same family, this outstanding winery was bought
by the Lescoche family whose ambition was to
build on previous achievements and continue to
promote its quality and prestige. The 50-hectare
vineyard is mostly planted to Grenache and
Syrah, the region’s iconic grape varieties. The
vines are lovingly farmed in a way that honours
ancient traditions. “Vinsobres is a village and a
hilltop appellation which boasts 1,375 hectares of
terraced vineyards located between 200 and 450
metres above sea level”, comments owner Philippe
Lescoche. The appellation is sheltered by a microclimate
and its vineyards in the shape of an amphitheatre.
Its felicitous, and unique location make
it a southern growth with a northern accent – the
wines are fruity and generous. Its high elevation
vineyard sites and upfront freshness are its defining
features. “Our vineyards promote wines that
are less driven by alcohol and are fresher on the
palate”, claims Ludivine Lescoche, the owner’s
daughter and head of sales. “Vinsobres wines are
also very age-worthy and will usually keep for up
to ten years. Winemaking and maturation techniques
bring out their full aromatic potential.
Unfortunately, though, they are still very much
under the radar in export markets. Depending
on the country, trade customers sometimes do
not differentiate between a generic Côtes-du-
Rhône and a Rhone Valley growth”. Domaine
Saint Vincent turns the spotlight on the typicity
and identity of Cru Vinsobres. The Grenache-Syrah
blends display great aromatic profiles. The wines
are supple and balanced with silky tannins lending
structure and superb elegance.
102 AUTUMN 2023 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE