Domaine de la Vieille Julienne 'Ceci Est un Flacon de Vin de France' Red Blend, Rhone, France

Unfettered expression takes the lead as 2022 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Ceci Est un Flacon de Vin de France steps confidently outside convention, offering a wine shaped by freedom, instinct, and vibrant Southern Rhône energy. Crafted without the constraints of appellation rules, this cuvée captures immediacy and charm while remaining unmistakably serious in intent.

Product Details:

• Owner/ Winemaker: Jean-Paul Daumen
• Grape Varieties: Grenache 65%, Syrah 20%, Cinsault 5%, with small amounts of Carignan and Counoise
• Farming Practices: Biodynamic, organic, Demeter certified
• Fermentation: Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts; variable whole-bunch use depending on vintage
• Maceration: Short to moderate
• Aging Vessel: Old oak foudres and concrete
• New Oak: None
• Fining / Filtration: Unfined and unfiltered
• Alcohol: 14%
• SO2: Minimal, approximately 20 mg/L
• Aging Potential: 5 to 10 years

Sensory Description:

Vivid ruby in color, the wine opens with expressive aromas of red cherry, wild strawberry, pomegranate, and dried herbs, lifted by floral notes of violet and rose petal. Hints of cracked pepper, garrigue, and earthy spice add complexity. The palate is medium-bodied and energetic, driven by juicy red fruit, brisk acidity, and fine, chalky tannins. A subtle saline edge adds tension through the mid-palate, leading to a clean, lightly savory finish marked by freshness and natural elegance.

Winemaker's Background:

Domaine de la Vieille Julienne is helmed by Jean-Paul Daumen, one of the Southern Rhône’s most respected advocates for biodynamic farming and low-intervention winemaking. The estate’s vineyards are managed holistically, prioritizing soil vitality, vine health, and balance over power. Ceci Est un Flacon de Vin de France allows Daumen to work with parcels outside strict boundaries or younger vines, offering a freer, more playful expression while maintaining the same rigorous standards applied to the domaine’s most revered wines.

Serving Suggestions:

Open about one hour before serving and pour at cool cellar temperature. This wine excels with charcuterie, grilled sausages, herb-roasted chicken, tomato-based pasta, lamb with herbs, or Mediterranean dishes that highlight acidity and spice rather than richness.