This Beaumes de Venise 'Vielle Vignes' cuvée from Domaine de Durban is a wonderful, life-affirming Southern Rhône red wine with enticing garrigue berry and spice aromas and a complex palate of dark autumnal fruit with warming tannins.
Over the last decade the Leydier family at Domaine de Durban have (in addition to their white Muscat de Beaumes de Venise) also been bottling red Beaumes de Venise (that since 2005 has been promoted up from Côtes du Rhône Villages to full ‘Appellation Contrôlée’ status) made from a blend of 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre. The ‘Vieilles Vignes’ cuvée drinks well from release, but will reward 3-5 years bottle-age.