Domaine Saint Luc

www.domaine-saint-luc.com
Route de Suze la Rousse
26790 La Baume de Transit
France Tel : 33 (0) 4 75 98 11 51 Fax : 33 (0) 4 75 98 19 22
US Importer:  Ventoux Fine Wines, LLC

This estate was created in 1971 and is located in the “Drôme Provençale” Region of France (think northern part of the Southern Rhone.)  Currently run by Stéphane Hémard and Rémi and Estelle Cook, the estate covers roughly 30 Hectare spread throughout the Tricastin Hills and Cotes du Rhone region with vineyards maintaining a similar clay and rolled stone profile.

While the domaine produces a number of cuvees, their L’Excellence de St Luc is the flagship wine and comes from old vines from the estates best parcels.  A blend of mostly Syrah with small quantities of Viognier, this wine sees 100% destemming and is aged in both barrel and vat.  While I have a preference for the ‘05, both of these wines show considerable finesse paired with admirable purity, freshness and balance.  Both bottles improved with air and I’d recommend drinking the ‘04 over the next 5 to 6 years whereas the ‘05 would be a candidate from hanging onto for a year or two to see if it gains complexity.

2004 Domaine Saint Luc Coteaux du Tricastin L’Excellence de St Luc (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Coteaux du Tricastin)
A blend of Syrah and Viognier, the 2004 Domaine Saint Luc Coteaux du Tricastin L’Excellence de St Luc possesses spicy, slightly reticent aromatics of cassis, plum, dusty earth, leather and meaty notes and with air, picks up a touch more richness with subtle graphite and chocolate notes emerging. Medium bodied in the mouth, there’s plenty of sweet fruit to go along with a smooth, balanced texture and a medium length finish. I’d drink this over the next 5 to 6 years. (88 pts.)

2005 Domaine Saint Luc Coteaux du Tricastin L’Excellence de St Luc (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Coteaux du Tricastin)
The 2005 Domaine Saint Luc Coteaux du Tricastin L’Excellence de St Luc (97% Syrah and 3% Viognier) is a step up from the ’04 with pure, clean aromatics of cassis and plum fruit, violets, lead pencil and smoky, charcoal and chocolate nuances.   This leads into a medium to full bodied wine that displays considerable polish along with a smooth, rich texture, beautiful balance and a medium to long finish.   While approchable now, this should benifit from a year or two in the cellar and drink well over the next 8 to 10 years.   (90+ pts.)

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