Domaine Martin Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone Villages 21

I've love how British wine critic John Livingstone-Learmonth describes the wines of Domaine Martin: "A Domaine I have known since the 1970s -- genuine, hearty wines with real local stamp."

The wines of Domaine Martin exude regional typicity and are textbook examples of Côtes du Rhône terroir. They're also a perfect model of the local-global way I prefer to do business. A unique combination of small, independent entities works together to bring the wines of Domaine Marting to my shop. When you purchase these wines, you're supporting a family-owned winery, an independent broker in Europe who helps me find wine, a North Carolina-based independent importer and distributor, and of course, the AWM.

In 1905, Jules Martin established Domain Martin with the purchase of five acres of vineyards in the Plan de Dieu. Today Jules' great-grandchildren David and Eric manage over 70 hectares of vineyards, with exceptional plots in Rasteau, Cairanne, and Plan de Dieu. All the Domaine's red wines mature in oak barrels, providing unprecedented suppleness after a very short time in bottle.

Eric and David Martin may look like grape growers and winemakers; however, they seem more like magicians. Like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat, they have the uncanny ability to coax fresh and lifted wines out of the region's punishingly hot environment. The real magic is in the glass, where their wines show beautiful balance and brightness at very reasonable alcohol levels.

If you love Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas and are hunting a bargain, the Plan de Dieu is the place for you. Sandwiched between Châteauneuf and Gigondas, the Plan de Dieu enjoys the same stone and pebble laden soil and microclimate as it's more famous neighbors. The stony soil absorbs and holds the daytime heat, radiating it through the night to help produce the wine's smooth, warm-fruited nature. The ever-present Mistral winds cool the vines during the punishingly hot days, keeping the wines lifted and fresh.

In the glass, it's all about textbook Rhône. A quick swirl and sniff will immediately take you right back to your last trip to the South of France and the beguiling aroma of garrigue -- the enchanting blend of culinary herbs that grows practically everywhere. The palate opens with dark red fruit and blackberry notes leading to a ripe and plush palate of dark red fruits, blackberry, garrigue, olive tapenade, and baking spice. The rounded, ripe tannins sail through the smooth, lengthy finish thanks to the aging in large wood vessels.

Pair this with practically anything from the grill, especially lamb chops!

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