Introduction:
The 2022 Domaine de la Soumade Rasteau from the Southern Rhône Valley, France is a bold, structured red blend that showcases the powerful, sun-drenched style of Rasteau. Rich in dark fruit and Mediterranean herbs, it reflects both the traditional GSM blending style and the clay-limestone terroir that gives these wines their depth and age-worthiness.

Terrior:
This wine hails from Rasteau AOC in the Southern Rhône, where vines grow on clay-limestone and marl soils at moderate elevation. The Mediterranean climate, with hot days and cooling winds like the mistral, supports full grape ripening while preserving structure. Domaine de la Soumade farms roughly 26 hectares in Rasteau using traditional methods.

Appearance:
Deep ruby to garnet in color, the wine shows impressive density in the glass — a visual cue of its concentration and ripeness.

Nose:
The aromatic profile is generous and layered, with notes of blackberries, cassis, and black cherries, alongside garrigue herbs (thyme, rosemary), cracked pepper, violets, leather, and a touch of earthiness. Sweet spice and minerality round out the bouquet.

Palate:
Full-bodied and dense on the palate, with ripe dark fruit—black plum, dark cherry, and blueberry—framed by fine-grained tannins. There's vibrant acidity for balance and a core of minerality and savory herb character. The wine is robust yet refined, with earthy undertones and subtle spice from traditional vinification and aging in large neutral vessels.

Finish:
The finish is long and layered, echoing dark fruits, crushed stone, and dried herbs. Tannins are present but polished, giving the wine structure for aging and depth for near-term enjoyment with rich dishes.

Overall Impression:
The 2022 Domaine de la Soumade Rasteau is a quintessential Southern Rhône red — bold, expressive, and rooted in its terroir. Its ripe fruit, herbal complexity, and mineral tension make it a standout in the Rasteau AOC. While enjoyable now with decanting, it has the balance and structure to age gracefully over the next decade.

Recommended Food Pairing:

• Meat / Game / Hearty: Braised lamb shank, grilled pork with rosemary, beef stew, duck confit, venison ragu

• Vegetarian / Vegetable / Hearty Vegetarian: Mushroom and lentil stew, eggplant parmesan, ratatouille, grilled portobello with herbs

• Cheese / Charcuterie: Aged Comté, Manchego, aged goat cheese, saucisson sec, pâté, rustic terrines

Alcohol by Volume (ABV %): ~15%
Farming Practices: Traditional viticulture; clay-limestone soils; mostly older vines
Producer Name: Domaine de la Soumade
Old World / New World: Old World
Country of Origin: France
Region: Rhône Valley – Southern Rhône, Rasteau AOC
Grape Varietals: Predominantly Grenache, with Syrah and Mourvèdre
Vintage: 2022
Wine Style: Southern Rhône red – full-bodied, structured, dark-fruited, herbal
Winemaking Techniques: Traditional fermentation, maceration with gentle extraction, aging in concrete or large neutral oak vessels
Pack Size: 750 mL
Container Style: Bottle
Closure Style: Cork