Les Vignerons d'Estézargues

'Carambouille' Rouge 2024

Most cooperatives blend their members’ grapes together, but Les Vignerons d’Estézargues has always done things differently. In this small village in the southern Rhône, each grower’s plots are vinified separately, so every vineyard keeps its own identity. The result is one of France’s rare quality-driven, low-intervention cooperatives, farming organically and working with minimal sulphur. Carambouille is their joyful, chillable red. It’s a juicy blend led by Cinsault and Grenache with a splash of Counoise, from clay-limestone soils, fermented and raised in tank with nothing added until a small dose of sulphur at bottling. Translucent ruby in the glass, it bursts with fresh cherry, raspberry and strawberry, a hint of spice and a crunchy, refreshing finish. Serve it slightly chilled, and pour it with charcuterie, pizza or a long lunch in the sun.