I was just in Romain Roche's cellar and had a chance to run through his 2023s in bottle and his 2024s out of tank. What a distance this producer has run from when we started working directly with him just a few years ago. The 2022s are newly arrived and they show the power of the vintage. The Cairanne is Romaine's signature wine. He makes his wines only in stainless and concrete tanks to preserve the purity of the fruit. This new vintage shows a lusty level of black cherry fruit, raspberry coulis, melted chocolate and licorice. An absolute banger of a wine, this has a hedonistic edge but keeps its focus. There is a lot of wine here for a very reasonable price!

Domaine Roche is one of our delectable Rhone Valley Direct Imports located in AOC Cairanne, just west of Rasteau and Sablet, so you know you're getting a wine that drinks above its price point. 70% old vine Grenache (planted in the 1950s-1960s) and 30% old vine Syrah (1970s), this 15% ABV wine is medium-bodied and certified organic. To preserve the purity and freshness of the fruit, the Grenache was fermented in concrete tanks. To round out the Syrah and add complexity, it was barrel fermented before blending. A deep garnet color, on the nose dark and blue fruit, graphite, white pepper, mocha, with floral aromas. On the palate, juicy with fine tannins, nice ripe jammy fruit, earthiness, and long finish that coats the palate. A steal at $19.99! Get 'em while their hot (not literally - 55 F is recommended)!