You guys loved the 2019 Saladin Fan de Lune last year, but we sold out pretty quickly. It's back, and it somehow went down a buck... sometimes things just work out. Come get one soon! In case you want a reminder of what the moonchild is all about, click here for the link to our November missive on the subject.
We also got a new release of Saladin's Chaveyron 1422, a Syrah blended with a dab of Viognier*. Saladin's Chaveyron 1422 refers to the date, 1422, when their family purchased vineyard land in their neighborhood. The family Saladin has been there ever since, and they have never used any synthetic treatments on their land. Today they are certified organic (Ecocert) growers, and though they fly under the radar, we would contend that their wines compete with the best in all of the Rhone. Their Chaveyron 1422 tastes like an elegant Cote Rotie, with distinctive meat and olive notes to contrast its gorgeous lush dark fruitiness. In a vintage like 2019, it is a wine to save for 10 years or more.
Domaine Saladin Cote du Rhone Villages 'Fan de Lune' 2019 - $29
Strawberry, cherry, blood orange, rusty iron, pine forest, resinous herbs, a touch of roses and roasted meat. Poised and lively, this is incredibly elegant for a Mourvedre-dominant wine, only medium in body with easy tannins, just a little grip, and a precise acid line. Gorgeous juiciness through the finish, with pleasantly bitter citrus pith and wild herb nuance lingering long. The purity of fruit is astounding. This is Mourvedre for connoisseurs of Pinot. The soeurs Saladin have done it again. Brilliant stuff that should be worth following at least another 5 years.
Domaine Saladin Vin de France 'Chaveyron 1422' 2019 - $35
Dark cherry, blackberry, tapenade, bacon, cracked black pepper, a little violets and lavender. Fresh and medium-bodied, this is still somehow quite lush and dense on the palate. Layers of flavor and texture come in waves before the finish fades to fresh fruits and beautiful herbal/savory nuances. This puts a lot of expensive Syrah to shame. Give it several hours of air and serve it with roast lamb.
*Adding a bit of the white grape Viognier will actually deepen the color of a Syrah if the two varieties are co-fermented, cool
Please send an email to orders@craftandcru.com to place your orders or inquiries.