Rasteau, Domaine la Soumade, Frédéric Roméro 2022 En Primeur - Case of 6

Domaine Soumade was founded in 1979 by André Romero and by 1990 he had achieved his initial aim of selling everything he produced in bottle. His son Frédéric joined him in 1996 after finishing his oenology studies and 2002 saw two important developments, firstly with the completion of a new winery and secondly with Bordeaux consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt being engaged.

The Romeros credit him with achieving better finesse and purity in their wines together with a better expression of their terroir. Today the estate comprises 26 hectares in Rasteau with one in Gigondas with Grenache being the predominant grape variety and many of the vines between 50 and 100 years of age and consequently yields can be under 20hl/ha.. Soils are mainly clay and limestone with an outcrop of blue clay in Rasteau producing their top wine. Lutte raisonnée is practised so the vines are only treated when absolutely with harvesting by hand. Winemaking is traditional and the amount of oak ageing has been reduced in recent years with 40 hl foudres from Austrian barrel maker Stockinger preferred. André is now in semi retirement but he still takes time out to keep an eye on things!