Balazu des Vaussières 2015 Vin de France Cuvée Coquelicot

 The 2015 "Cuvee Coquelicot" from Christian and Nadia Charmasson at Balazu des Vaussieres is made from 100% Grenache which undergoes an approximately two month carbonic maceration, followed by pressing and 3 years in vat (no wood).  This is perhaps the most "natural" of all Southern Rhône reds, as the Charmassons use no SO2 or other additives in the wine and refuse to use copper sulfate in the vines. The living soils at Balazu des Vaussieres produced this extraordinary natural wine in 2015, showing vibrant aromas of ripe black cherry, blackberry and cassis with citrus, violet, mineral and licorice notes. The palate is dense and bright with complex black fruits, earthy mineral and herbal flavors, licorice and firm acidity in the long intense finish. with a few days open, the wine concentrates becoming an essence of earthy black cherry confit, quite extraordinary. This is a beautiful wine and and an essential purchase for any lover of natural wines. Our thanks to Nadia And Christian Charmasson for their committment to living soils and  winemaking with zero additives. David Lillie

Balazu des Vaussières 2018 Vin de France Lune Rousse Rosé

In 2018 Nadia and Christian Charmasson of Balazu des Vaussieres in Tavel, who refuse to use the organic approved  copper sulfate in their vines, lost 75% of their crop due to devastating attacks of mildew in the spring. Thus all of the estate's grapes were used to produce this one cuvée of rosé: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Viognier, Roussanne, Clairette and Cinsault. The wine shows pale orange/pink color and fascinating aromas of spiced raspberry and cherry with hints of almond and pear, showing the Roussanne and Marsanne. The palate is dense and intriguing, with stone,  berry fruits, rose, peach and apricot, very sapid and long with saline minerals, citrus peel and berry fruits in the long juicy finish. This is a beautiful natural wine to sip and contemplate, or serve with Moroccan tagine, grilled chicken with rosemary and lemon. This is highly recommended for any lover of natural wines - only 48 bottles available for the US.  David Lillie

Balazu des Vaussières 2019 Vin de France Sept Syllabes Rosé

Although within the Tavel appellation, Nadia and Christian Charmasson have long rejected the rules of the AOC in favor a "Vin de France" classification. Balazu des Vaussières is a completely "natural" estate, using zero additives in winemaking and zero chemcials in the vines - even the organic approved preparation of copper-sulfate is not used against mildew as it is harmful to organisms in the soil - thus living soils that produce vibrant living wines. The 2019 “Sept Syllabes” was made with Mourvedre and Cinsault - it’s a direct press rosé with little or no maceration and no added SO2. The wine spent approximately 7 months in vat before bottling. The wine is rather concentrated in color. The fruit on the nose is deep raspberry and cherry, with hints of green herbs. The palate is warm, with a mix of savory red berries and cherry/plum skins. Just a hint of clove. The structure is full, offering a light tannic touch. Please note, this is definitely an item for natural wine lovers and might need some time to rest in bottle before displaying the freshest side of its fruit and texture.

Ferme Saint-Martin 2019 Ventoux Les Estaillades

At about 900 ft elevation in the Ventoux, the Juliens have Grenache and Counoise in a parcel sheltered from the mistral surrouded by pines and garrigue that yields this delicious, supple wine that's a fabulous pairing with any grilled meat or stews. The sandy clay limestone soils are plowed only around the foot of the vine with vegetation maintained between the rows. The grapes are hand-harvested and ferment naturally with no additives, aging is in concrete vat, minimal SO2 is added before bottling without fining or filtration. The 2019 "Estaillades" is deep and dense with aromas of garrigue and red/black fruits, with blackberry and cherry liqueur and a bit of licorice and menthol on the full, chalky palate. Delicious now and will drink beautifully over the next 3 - 5 years. This serious Rhone red is a great value! David Lillie

Ferme Saint-Martin 2018 Beaumes-de-Venise Terres Jaunes

An excellent value from Beaumes-de-Venise, 'Les Terres Jaunes' is a blend of 75% Grenache and 20% Syrah both from 30+ year-old vines grown on a unique terroir of Triassic limestone/clay soils. Organically farmed with vegetation maintained between the rows; fermented naturally with no additives, aged in concrete with very little sulfur added at bottling, this is a truly terroir-focused wine. I love the rich texture with powdery tannins, and after some time decanting, it definitely softened and opened up. Full of ripe black cherry, plum, and preserved raspberries with more savory undertones of olive, oregano, dried tobacco and a touch of dark chocolate.  The wine is dense and long with delicious supple fruit, a bit brighter than the 2017. Plenty of complexity in this deep Southern Rhône wine to sit and contemplate, and would be excellent with heartier or gamey fare. MD

Ferme Saint-Martin 2017 Beaumes-de-Venise Cuvée Saint-Martin

Guy and Thomas Jullien at la Ferme Saint-Martin are making some of the finest wines in the Southern Rhône on their organic estate in Suzette, near Beaumes-de-Venise. One of their best wines, the Cuvée Saint-Martin is made with 85% Grenache from 60 to 105 year-old vines grown on clay over limestone (Triassic) soils. Vinification is with wild yeasts, with no added SO2 until a tiny amount before bottling - this is a "natural" wine of great quality.  The 2017 shows a deep red/black color, with ripe plum, red currant and strawberry aromas, very floral, elegant and lush with hints of licorice, garrigue and earth. The palate is ripe and dense with deep chocolately blackberry and plum liqueur with earth, licorice, mint and spice, finishing with firm acidity and citrusy red fruits. This is an outstanding southern Rhône red and a great value - serve with grilled foods, Moroccan tagines and Provençal stews. David Lillie