Domaine de la Berthete Saint Cecile Cotes du Rhone Villages 20

The Côtes du Rhône Villages appellation is a distinct middle ground in the wine world of the Rhône Valley. Regular Côtes du Rhône appellated wines represent a broad swath of this diverse region, and all Franco-Eonophiles appreciate them for their outstanding everyday value.

Here's where it starts to get really interesting, as the Villages designation takes things a step further by spotlighting a select number of recognized communes known for their superior terroir. Sitting neatly between the entry-level Côtes du Rhône regional wines and the top-tier Cru appellations like Gigondas, Rasteau, Cairanne, and, of course, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône Villages designated wines offer exceptional quality without wandering too far into the wallet.

Sainte-Cécile is one of these special communes, and in 2016, it was one of the most recent appellations to be elevated to Côtes du Rhône Villages status. Bordered by well-known Cru villages like Cairanne and Rasteau, Sainte-Cécile benefits from the similar terroir of its more famous neighbors.

Asheville-based importer Jean-Philippe Bourgeois has built his career and reputation on discovering and promoting terroir-driven wines, and we've proudly featured Philippe's selections for over two decades. He's a master at ferreting out these delicious, albeit hidden gems sourced from small, family-owned estates. I've always considered his selections some of the shop's best "Local Global" finds.

Domaine de la Berthète is a family-owned estate in the Southern Rhône Valley and one of the many standout properties in Philippe's portfolio. Pascal Maillet and his wife Marie-Pierre purchased the 48-hectare estate in 1993, and the family continues to manage the property. The family's vineyards are planted with classic Rhône grape varietals, focusing mainly on Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, and Cinsault.

Domaine Berthète's 2020 Sainte-Cécile Côtes du Rhône Villages is a textbook classic, beautifully balanced blend starring Grenache, supported by Syrah and with a cameo by Carignan. Here's the essential bit: five years of gentle aging in the bottle have sculpted this gorgeous Rhône into a vinous masterpiece with silky tannins and rich, velvety fruit.

In your glass, the 2020 Domaine Berthète Sainte-Cécile Côtes du Rhône Villages opens with inviting aromas of ripe black raspberry, black cherry, and subtle notes of Mediterranean herbs and warm spices. It's rich and softly structured on the palate, with vibrant fruit and nicely lingering hints of earthy black pepper.

Classic pairings of traditional Southern Rhône fare, like lamb chops grilled with rosemary, hearty ratatouille, or roast pork tenderloin, beautifully complement the wine's rich, earthy fruit. For a more adventurous experience, try pairing it with pulled pork BBQ sliders, ground lamb-stuffed eggplant involtini, or Korean BBQ tacos.