ABOUT: Vincent Rochette established his winery in the southern Rhone in 1998 with the fruit from 2 vineyards. The vineyards are planted with a mash up of grapes allowed in the Cotes du Rhone AC, predominately Grenache, followed by Syrah, Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Viognier. The first 8 hectares are in AOC Visan, on ancient stones and garrigue hillsides that have been in his family for 3 generations. The other 12 hectares were purchased by Vincents grandfather in 1962 and rest near the village of Buisson, where the vineyard is located and has a hillside of 100 year old Grenache vines. Both vineyards were certified organic and biodynamic in 2008. TASTE: Cesar is made from the lowest yielding, oldest Grenache vines Vincent has, creating bold, dense flavors of blackberries, plums, licorice, baking spices and black pepper. There is an amazing garrigue note often found in the best wines from the southern Rhone, very herbaceous and smells of thyme and rosemary, entirely unique. Cesar has a medium+ body with bold, integrated tannins and medium acidity which builds an excellent structure for development. Long finish and deliciously complex. PAIR:Oven roasted endive with Saint-Marcellin, grilled fennel salad with fresh herbs and Parmesan, onion soup, and a spicy enchilada.
