From: Courthézon, Rhone Valley, France
Varietal: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault
Taste: This wine pours a brilliant ruby hue with a highly aromatic nose. Initial scents of violet and peony gracefully give way to ripe notes of blackberry, black currant, and blueberries. With aeration, warm spices emerge—cinnamon, vanilla, and a hint of pepper. The palate reveals a refreshing brightness seamlessly balanced with lush fruit richness. The finish is long and subtle, leaving a delicate trace of licorice that lingers pleasantly.
Pairing: With its vibrant aromatics and rich, layered palate, this wine pairs beautifully with a range of dishes that enhance its fruity, floral, and spiced characteristics. For a main course, a rack of lamb in curry harmonizes with the wine’s subtle pepper and berry notes, while quail in cherry sauce and Sichuan pepper plays off its spiced aromas, creating a seamless match. For game lovers, medallions of roe deer with caramelized pear and cranberry offer a delightful contrast to the wine's fresh acidity and a touch of licorice on the finish. This wine also complements more rustic dishes like duck confit with thyme-roasted potatoes, which enhances the wine’s earthy undertones, and beef tenderloin with blackcurrant reduction to bring out its dark fruit flavors. Wild mushroom risotto provides a rich, savory base to highlight the wine’s spiced warmth, while a roasted beet and goat cheese salad accentuates its floral and berry notes. For a final touch, hard-aged cheeses like Comté or aged Gouda bring out the wine’s long, nuanced finish.
Indian Lamb Curry With Basmati Rice
By Mark Bittman
About: La Reserve Saint Dominique has a history rooted in the Rhône Valley, where it was founded in 1921 by a family dedicated to winemaking in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The founder, moved by the region’s unique terroir, started the winery to produce wines reflective of the Rhône’s rich soil, climate, and character. Traditional viticulture practices shaped the early years, focusing on Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre—grape varieties well-suited to the stony, sun-soaked landscapes of the area.
Throughout the mid-20th century, the winery evolved, gradually incorporating modern techniques to refine its wines while retaining a commitment to tradition. This balance between heritage and innovation became a signature approach at La Reserve Saint Dominique. As generations passed, each new steward continued this legacy, adapting to the wine world's changes without compromising the wines' character.
