In the fantastic 2019 Southern Rhône vintage, Roubine’s Sablet hits new heights. Situated on a north-facing vineyard at the foothills of Dentelles de Montmirail, Sablet is revered for its sandy clay soils that produce generous, precocious, mouth-filling wines. Domaine la Roubine’s cuvée of Grenache (70%), Syrah (25%), and Cinsault shines in the critically acclaimed 2019 vintage, casting a radiant, saturated ruby robe followed by classic Southern Rhône aromas of black cherries, cassis, garrigue, wintergreen, and vine smoke. Balanced yet coiled on the attack, infusions of lavender and aromatic herbs join with appetizing, stemmy tannins to accent and frame the dense core of cherry, plum, and black raspberry fruit. The Sablet finishes long, chewy, and full of energy, adding firm, gripping tannins and further accents of blackberries, cassis, herbs, tar, wild sage, leather, and tobacco. This is a terrific, savory, old-school Côtes-du-Rhône rouge that will satisfy the souls of Southern Rhône aficionados. Enjoy the wine now or over the coming five years with herb-crusted lamb, grilled burgers, ratatouille, rosemary-scented chicken, and hearty stews.
