Vincent and Stephanie Boyer’s domaine in Visan contains great historical reference in winemaking and European feudalism. The building in which Vincent’s family resides is surrounded by old mourvèdre vines and fig and cherry trees. It is a fortified farmhouse that was built by Templar knights in the middle ages. The Templars were an order of Christian crusaders who achieved great wealth and prominence in commerce throughout Christendom in the 12th and 13th centuries and established many farms and vineyards. The Bastide property became Benedictine, then a Dominican monastery and continued to grow grapes for wine. They live in this historical place with Vincent’s mother and their two mischievous little girls. Vincent took over his father’s winemaking legacy and Vincent and Stephanie, also a trained oenologist, carry forward the domaine with energy, innovation and focus. The vineyard is stronger than ever. Vincent hopes to make the farm fully organic in the near future .

The vineyards are located in Visan and Suze-la-Rousse: most of them are on stony dry soils, typical of the South Rhone valley.

<strong><u>Grape varieties of the Domaine</u></strong><em><u>:</u></em> The Grenache is still the more important variety but is now decreasing as vines are replaced. Shiraz is becoming more used. Other varieties are also present such as Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault. The white wine is made of viognier and white Grenache.

Light, vaguely hazy orange-pink. Fresh red berries and candied rose on the highly perfumed nose and in the mouth. Juicy, seamless and energetic in style; a minerally nuance adds back-end lift and focus. Spreads out slowly and emphatically echoes the floral note on a long, seamless finish. Quite suave for its relatively humble appellation and quite the value for a top-notch pink wine.

<span class="tasting-note-byline muted">-- Josh Raynolds - Vinous Media</span>