Copy of Domaine De La Charite, Cotes Du Rhone 2007Domaine de la Charit is in Saze, west of Avignon. It was founded by Christophe's grandfather in 1970 at which time there were just 5 hectares (ha) producing grapes which were sold to the local cooperative. In 1974, Christophe's father left the cooperative and built the cellars. Now, under Christophe's management, the estate has expanded to 45 ha of vines and some more with olive trees. That said, the estate is not growing too quickly: Christophe is

Trefethen Dragon's Tooth

and his grandson Laurent

furry fruit and there is still a little toffee apparent

temperatures of – 15

The Syrah comes mainly from El Mirador

The Mentzelopoulos family bought the estate from the Ginestet family in 1977

The domaine quickly rose to prominence and only three years after its establishment

Sir Norman Foster and Partners designed a state-of-the-art winery

and for its aging potential in better vintages

with an abundance of bunches displaying sugar levels and aromatics well above the norm

only the grapes from the estates oldest vines are used in the Grand Vin

while others are set on limestone outcrops