Oratoire St. Martin, Cairanne – Côtes du Rhône Villages (Rhône Valley, France) 2014

 With a whiff of violets in the aroma, a sophisticated concentration of fruit and spice in the flavor profile, and an overall dynamic character, this is an easy-drinking yet serious wine.  Oratoire St Martin, which has been in the same family for some 400 years, uses no pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers in the vineyards, and it has followed biodynamic principles for the past several years. Much of the vineyard acreage is still plowed by horse, as it has been for generations.  In 2016, Cairanne’s status was changed to cru status (from Côtes du Rhône Villages), putting it on the same AOC base as Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas.  Made from Grenache (20%), Mourvèdre (60%) and Syrah (20%).