In the glass

Full-bodiedMedium tanninMedium aciditySweetLong finish

Aroma: fig jam, dried cherry, roasted coffee, caramel, walnut

Palate: raisined fruit, chocolate, nutmeg, dried fig, warm sweetness

A traditional oxidative-style Rasteau VDN; Grenache mutage produces rich, sweet wine with fig, chocolate, and coffee complexity. Excellent with dark chocolate and blue cheese.

What it pairs with

  • Dark chocolate fondant
    Classic VDN-chocolate pairing; fig and coffee notes echo the bittersweet chocolate.
  • Roquefort cheese
    Sweet VDN with salty, creamy blue cheese is a Southern French classic.
  • Dried figs and walnuts
    The wine's dried fruit and walnut character echoes the nut-and-fruit plate.

History

Rasteau VDN has been produced in the village for centuries; the style involves adding neutral grape spirit to arrest fermentation (mutage). La Soumade's oxidative-aged Rasteau VDN is among the appellation's most traditional and characterful examples.

  1. 1985 — La Soumade begins producing Rasteau VDN as a distinct wine
  2. 2010 — Rasteau VDN receives its own protected designation within the Rasteau AOC

Facts

Producer
Domaine La Soumade
Grapes
Grenache (100%)
Classification
Rasteau AOC (Vin Doux Naturel)
Oak
Extended ageing in old demi-muids; oxidative style
ABV
16.5%
Price
EUR 15-30 at retail
Drinking window
5-20 from vintage
First vintage
1985

Tags

cellar worthy fortified vdn full body grenache medium acid medium tannin mood contemplative mood festive occasion dinner party occasion special old vines old world pairs with blue cheese pairs with chocolate pairs with digestif price trade up sweet
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