Sablet, Rhone Valley, France
Sablet is one of sixteen esteemed Cotes-du-Rhone Villages that represent the finest Southern Rhone communes awaiting appointment to full Appellation d’Origine Controlee status. Situated at the foothills of Dentelles de Montmirail, Sablet is revered for its sand and clay soils which produce generous, precocious, mouth-filling wines. Domaine Notre Dame des Pallieres’ cuvee of equal parts old-vine Grenache and Syrah shines in the critically acclaimed 2019 vintage with an opaque black plum robe followed by classic aromas of black cherries, cassis, licorice, and garrigue. Ripe, juicy and spicy on the attack, firm tannins appear mid-palate to frame the wine’s saturated core of cherry, plum, and black currant fruit. The Sablet finishes long, chewy, and sumptuous with further accents of blackberries, dried herbs, tar, leather, and tobacco. This is a serious, savory, and comfortably-priced rouge that will satisfy Southern Rhone aficionados. Enjoy now or over the coming five years with herb-crusted lamb, grilled burgers, ratatouille, rosemary-scented chicken, and hearty braises.
