4 wines by Domaine Romaneaux-Destezet

If memory serves me, Domaine Romaneaux-Destezet started in the early 1990s.  They work in the Rhone Valley of France, and with old vines (50+ years old).  And I believe all the wines I have tried by them have been organic and/or bio-dynamic.
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"Souteronne" 2010
(100% Gamay)
site: This wine was pretty inky purple.
nose: On the first whiff all I could think of was a bowl full of banana chips.  Delving into it further, black berries mingled with the banana chips and there was a buttered toast note to it.
palate: Black berries, plums skins, banana peel, and nutty quality.
$: ~25

I have to been in the mood for Gamay, the banana/berry can be a little overwhelming.  This has a bit of minerals and I do like the nutty notes.  I can see this paired with chicken, turkey, cornish hens - but I cannot think of a cheese I would enjoy with this.


"Le Petit Merle Ardechois" 2010
(100% Merlot)
nose: notes of stewed tomatoes, roasted peppers, dried flowers (roses/violets)
palate: herbal, eggplant, a little hint of minerals (rain on granite).
$: ~25

This would be so good with sausages and rich thick sauce, or eggplant parmesan.  Though I enjoyed this wine, it is one that I cannot afford to drink every week.


"Syrah" 2010
(100% Syrah)
nose: Sandalwood, sage, lavender, leather vanilla coffee beans
palate: pepper, spices, berries.
$: ~30

This wine has a leathery herbal incense quality, very intense nose.  Such that the palate could not stand up to it.


"Saint Epine" 2010
(Syrah)
nose: buttered jam toast, baking spices, freshly ground peppers, herbs
palate: dark ripe cherries, peppers, fennel, berries, dry and acidic
$: ~50

My notes just tell me "syrah", I am not sure if it is 100% or not.
But I am sure that this wine calls for lamb or duck, something gamey and deep.  It is bright and fresh while being meaty.  This is a huge wine with an equally huge price tag.  I would save this for a lamb roast Christmas dinner.