Maison Orcia Côtes du Rhône Rouge Bio 2020

Maison Orcia is the label of Jean-Philippe Manches, a young negociant who buys fruit from growers across the Rhone and raises the wine himself. This organic Cotes du Rhone blends Grenache, Carignan and Syrah grown in the southern Rhone, where a warm Mediterranean climate and stony, sun holding soils ripen Grenache to soft, generous red fruit while Syrah and Carignan add colour, pepper and grip. The blend plays to each grape, with Grenache giving the sweet fruit and body, Syrah the spice and structure, and Carignan the dark colour and freshness. The wine is aged in barrel, which rounds the tannins and adds a light savoury frame without masking the fruit. The colour is bright ruby. The nose shows red berries and plum with violet and a hint of pepper and dried herbs, and the palate is smooth and medium bodied with fresh acidity, ripe fruit and a supple finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees. Good with grilled meats, roast pork and vegetable stews.