Pique Basse Cotes du Rhone Rouge Le Chasse Coeur 2019

80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Carignan. If Olivier Tropet had vineyards in appellations like Côte Rôtie, Cornas or Châteauneuf-du-Pape he’d be more likely to garner wide acclaim, but he lives in Roaix, the Southern Rhône Valley’s tiniest Côtes-du-Rhône village appellation, a place that a lot of wine professionals only read about on their way to their wine exam. It’s hard to believe what he achieves within this relatively unknown village; his range of organically made wines are as soulful as they are exquisitely crafted. While Olivier makes a big range of wines his entry-level reds are simply dynamite and nearly impossible to beat for the price and sophistication. This wine is a blend of grapes is grown on the lower slope terraces of river alluvium, sand, and limestone-rich clay. The fermentation is natural with no stems included, followed by stainless steel and cement aging for eight months before bottling; no wood is used in this cuvée because Grenache has a tendency to easily oxidize. These aging vessels are perfect for preserving its higher tones, which are many. The acidity is fresh in this highly focused, red-fruited wine, with the Grenache on full display and seemingly not phased by the 20% of other grapes. Grenache is a noble grape and can carry tremendous pleasure and finesse when not burned out by the sun from too much time on the vine. The clay soils also help to preserve the freshness of this savory wine that was made for food, or a cold night on the patio. Fall in love with this hidden gem like we have.