Domaine du Vieux Chêne Haie des Grives Côtes-du-Rhône 2005

Pure, natural, and easy to drink, the 2005 certified organic Domaine du Vieux Chêne Haie des Grives Côtes-du-Rhône really knows how to please a crowd. Medium-bodied and as natural tasting as any wine we have ever had the pleasure to drink, the charming 2005 Haie des Grives provides a lightly fragrant nose and plenty of flavor and mouth feel in the guise of uncomplicated black fruits, subtle spice, and a velvet finish. Due to the natural methods of viticulture and production that are scrupulously practiced by the Bouches at Domaine du Vieux Chêne, the hallmark of Haie des Grives remains its consistency from vintage to vintage, which always includes an overwhelming charm, purity of flavor, and a natural, clean, uncomplicated finish. What more could one want from Côtes-du-Rhône? We'll tell you! The 2005 Haie des Grives continues to unfold in the glass or decanter for hours after opening and it takes on subtle complexity, without revealing massive tannin or an elevated level of alcohol. We suggest serving the lovely 2005 Domaine du Vieux Chêne Haie des Grives at cool room temperature or even slightly chilled in warm weather (55°-65° F). Allow for 15-20 minutes of aeration.

BÉatrice Bouche is known as one of the finest country cooks in the Côtes-du-Rhône. And good old-fashioned country cooking (or down home fare as some of us are apt to say) provides the perfect, unpretentious accompaniment to the 2005 Domaine du Vieux Chêne Haie des Grives. In fact, one of our all time favorite foods with this wine remains pizza, but not just any ordinary pizza. Perhaps, the best-kept secret of Provence is this: Provence, rather than Italy, bears the distinction of being the ancestral home of pizza. Meanwhile, the region's second best secret is just how good Provencal pizzas are. The Provencal versions of the world's most popular food are what we commonly refer to as gourmet pizza. Consequently, some of our favorite accompaniments to the Haie des Grives are perennially a three-cheese and black olive pizza; a chicken and mushroom pizza, with red onion, peppers, and Provencal herbs; and any number of vegetable pizzas with eggplant, zucchini, or artichoke. Light meats, pasta and almost anything served with fresh tomato sauce, including fish, also provide savory pairings in the company of the natural, easy to drink 2005 Haie des Grives. Enjoy!

Domaine du Vieux Chêne is the quintessential Provencal estate, which means a true family affair. Jean-Claude and BÉatrice Bouche are the formidable husband and wife team behind this very well run domaine that is located in the village of Camaret. Intriguingly, Camaret lies in the heart and soul of the Vaucluse, Provence's most beloved core. In fact, the great early 20th century French writer Marcel Pagnol set Camaret as the home of Jean and Florette, two of his more famous Provencal characters, from the novel and subsequent film Jean de Florette. Begun in 1978, Domaine du Vieux Chêne has emerged as a leader in the production of pure, naturally made Côtes-du-Rhône wines. For more than a dozen years, Domaine du Vieux Chêne has been a certified organic producer, which means no chemical herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers are ever used at this estate. In addition, the use of sulfites is strictly limited. The result is an enviable selection of individual Côtes-du-Rhône cuvÉes that highlight the appellation's two most important red varietals: Grenache and Syrah. Consequently, Domaine du Vieux Chêne's CuvÉe des Capucines is comprised exclusively of Grenache, while the fuller Haie des Grives offers up additional flavor and depth due the artful blending of a sizeable percentage of Syrah into the Grenache blend. Domaine du Vieux Chêne also fashions an excellent 100% Syrah Côtes-du-Rhône under the CuvÉe BÉatrice label. Domaine du Vieux Chêne, like most serious Provencal wineries, also produces a first rate rosÉ and small quantities of a superb, proprietary labeled Vin de Pays from Grenache and Syrah called CuvÉe Friande. This estate fashions a first rate Merlot as well, which leads us to wonder if this energetic couple ever has time to sleep, especially since harvesting and nearly every thing else at this property is done the old-fashioned way – by hand. Vive la DiffÉrence!