By Francois-Xavier Nicolas
Entre Restanques et Garrigue 2020

Technical Details
Grape Varieties: 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre
Terroir: Composite soils made up of clay-limestone, red earth, and sandstone
Average Vine Age: 35 years old
Yield: 40 hl/ha

Vinification
Traditional winemaking. Maceration for three weeks. Alcoholic fermentation with temperature control (maximum 28 degrees C). Malolactic fermentation. Aged for 18 months in concrete vats.

Producer Notes
The last Cotes du Rhone Villages to become a Cru in 2016, the Cairanne appellation enjoys three emblematic and complementary terroirs: the alluvial plain around the Aygues river, the scrubland adjoining the Plan de Dieu, and the hillsides which culminate at 254 meters at the Col du Debate. This cuvee, rich in these particularities, happily combines the specificities, spicy notes, and elegance specific to Cairanne wines.

Tasting Notes
Intense ruby color. Aromatic and full nose with notes of cocoa, cooked fruit, garrigue, and Sichuan pepper. Fleshy and intense attack. The patinated tannins highlight the velvety aromas of cocoa and licorice. The finish is silky and persistent.

Service
Serving Temperature: 16 degrees C
Pairings: Rabbit terrine, Roasted rack of lamb with mashed parsnips and chanterelles, or Sheep cheese
[Information provided by DHI Selections]

Francois-Xavier Nicolas, Entre Restanques et Garrigue, Cairanne, Rhone, France, 2020
Producer: Francois-Xavier Nicolas
Wine name: Entre Restanques et Garrigue
Vintage: 2020
Sub-region: Cairanne
Region: Rhone
Country: France
Award: Gold
Score: 95
Colour: Red
Style: Still - Dry (below 5 g/L residual sugar)
Bottle size: 75cl
Closure: Natural Cork
Grape composition: Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah
Tasting notes: Very ripe but not overripe red cherry fruit bouquet. Powerful on the palate, juicy and structured, with well-mannered, yet evident, robust tannins. Bold, concentrated, intense, rich and imposing with a long and complex finish. This is a very classic, Grenache-led Cairanne, that oozes confidence and class. Chapeau!

FRANCOIS-XAVIER NICOLAS CAIRANNE ENTRE RESTANQUES ET GARRIGUES 2020
Monday, March 21, 2022
Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Vintage: 2020
Score: 92
Red-fruit, wildflower and wild-herb aromas pour from the glass of this expressive Cairanne. Alongside the racy power, it has terrific freshness that makes it cool and uplifting, rather than warm and heavy. Barely more than medium-bodied, in spite of the 14.5% alcohol. Drink or hold.