Domaine Santa Duc : Les Quatre Terres 2020

A complex and elegant Côtes du Rhône Villages wine

The estate

Located in the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountain chain, Domaine Santa Duc has been writing its family history since 1874. At the helm of the estate since 1985, Yves Gras and his son Benjamin produce wines which, through their quality and refinement, greatly contribute to the glowing international reputation of Rhône Valley wines.

Produced using organic and biodynamic practices since 2016, these exceptional terroirs give rise to fine wines that harmoniously express the identity of emblematic appellations such as Gigondas, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras and Côtes du Rhône.

The vineyard

Domaine Santa Duc's Les Quatre Terres 2020 is a Côtes du Rhône Villages wine made from 6 hectares of vines that spread over the communes of Vacqueyras and Rasteau (classified as Cru) as well as Roaix and Séguret (classified as Côtes du Rhône Villages). The vines are 40 years old on average and are planted on soils composed of Piedmont sand, red limestone and clay, depending on the plot.

Vinification and ageing

The hand-picked grapes are first sorted in the vineyard and then on a sorting table. Partial destemming, the percentage of which varies depending on the vintage. The grapes are vatted by gravity before undergoing a 20 to 30-day fermentation in stainless steel vats, with daily pumping over and punching down. Pressing in a pneumatic press followed by malolactic fermentation in vats. Aged for 18 months in oak tuns and clay jars before bottling without fining or filtration.

The blend

Grenache (70%)

Syrah (15%)

Mourvèdre (10%)

Carignan and Cinsault (5%).

Les Quatre Terres 2020 by Domaine Santa Duc: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

This rich and complex Rhone Valley wine blends floral and fruity notes (red and black fruits) with fine and exceptionally elegant tannins.