Romaine Roche will always be one of my favorite people to visit in the Rhône. His generosity and warm, welcoming spirit make every encounter a pleasure. I recently caught up with him at a large trade tasting, where we had the chance to taste through his latest releases—and the 2023s are outstanding. Across the range, the wines capture the beauty of the vintage: expressive fruit, clear terroir definition, all with a sense of finesse. Romaine’s style does not lean toward overstatement. Years ago, he moved away from oak in favor of concrete and stainless steel, a shift that emphasizes freshness and purity of fruit. I’m especially drawn to his traditional Cairanne. A benchmark producer in this now-Cru appellation, the vines for this cuvée are rooted in sandy red clay with limestone bedrock beneath. The wine shows classic notes of blackberry and tobacco, underscored by a mineral edge that reflects the iron-rich soils. Think of it as a Côtes-du-Rhône turned up a notch—or two. A compelling reminder of why Cairanne earned Cru status, and why Romaine Roche remains one of its prominent voices.