By Serge Dore Selections
Domaine de Dionysos Cotes-du-Rhone 'La Deveze'
60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Carignan, 5% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault

Marseille, 1720 - the Great Plague has invaded the city. The Farjon family fled to the hills of Uchaux, a then little colony that would rapidly become the hamlet we know as Uchaux Les Farjon today. For the past seven generations, the Farjon family has been producing incredible wines, a legacy that was further transformed in 1974 by Robert Farjon after giving the name "Dionysos" to the family's Domaine as both a tribute and thanks to the Greek God of wine.

La Deveze is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan, Mourvedre, and Cinsault from 35-year-old vines planted on a 50-acre parcel of land split between the villages of Uchaux and Mondragon. Low yields guarantee good concentration of aromas in the wine. The vineyard is now certified organic and goes even further by adhering to the principles of biodynamics. The vineyard at the family Domaine has never been treated with any herbicides, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers. This way of working was started at Domaine de Dionysos over 40 years ago. Moreover, this family Domaine is very interested in the practice of biodynamic growing. In their view, it is the best way to work their vineyards, and by growing their vines in a natural way, they produce the healthiest, richest, and most characteristic grapes from their appellations.

This is the Rhone Valley embodied in Philippe Cambie's trademark style. Winemaking consultant at the property for the past few years, he is credited with reviving the wines of the Rhone Valley in the past couple of decades and was named Winemaker of the Year by Robert Parker in 2010.

The final wine expresses the mouthwatering elements of the terroir and winemaking. Grenache brings warmth and mellowness, while Syrah and Carignan bring robustness, maturity, and color. The vivid nose of red fruit and supple tannins wrap around the strong structure of the wine all the way through the finish, as tones of violet and raspberry consistently recur.

Additional Details
Origin: Rhone Valley, France
Appellation: AOC Cotes du Rhone
Vineyard: 35-year-old vines in sandy-clay soils.
Yield: 30-40 hL/ha
Blend: 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Carignan, 5% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault
Farming: Biodynamic
Winemaking: Fermentation takes place in temperature controlled concrete vats with ten days of maceration
Aging: One-third oak barrels for six months
[Imported by Serge Dore Selections]
[Information is not vintage specific]

DOMAINE DE DIONYSOS Cotes du Rhone La Deveze 2015
Rating: 91
Value: $42
Drink: 2018-2022
Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Appellation: Cotes du Rhone
Editor: J. D. Angelo
Issue: January, 2018
Importer: Serge Dore Selections
The 2015 La Deveze opens to fresh inviting aromas and flavors of raspberries, spiced plum, pepper, black olives all taking shape. On the palate this is medium-bodied and well balanced, with lovely acidity at its core, providing a lovely fresh character to the fruit as it enters the juicy finish. This is already a pleasure to drink, however it should also continue to add even more appeal with some short-term cellaring.