Piquemal Côtes du Roussillon Tradition 2017 | Welcome to your new house red wine!

92WA | Piquemal Côtes du Roussillon Tradition 2017 displays ruby color with a dark but translucent core. Primary aromas of fresh red cherry, plum, and pomegranate fruit surrounded by earthy garrigue, smoke, and black pepper. Ripe and fleshy on entry with juicy black fruits and plush tannins. Drink now-2022.

More Revered Red Blends

Domaine Piquemal has everything that is making Roussillon increasingly lauded for its DRY reds. It is located in the Agly valley, atop a dry, sunny plateau where the strong wind rustles the vines loud enough to drown out the cars passing on the autoroute. The domaine’s 125 acres boast a variety of soils: flakey schist, calcareous clay, and there are the galets roulé.  In addition with rounded stones and pebbles—that typify the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

This is about as close as French vines get to the Spanish border, where they enjoy the bright sunshine. Yet not giving up that perfumy mix of smoky rosemary, thyme, juniper, lavender, and olive that is unique to the south of France.

2018 Roussillon Winemaker of the Year

Le Guide Hachette des Vins, one of France’s most revered publications, honored third-generation winemaker Marie-Pierre Piquemal as 2018 Roussillon Winemaker of the Year for her work guiding her family’s Domaine. Lesser-known and more sun-baked than their neighbors to the north, Roussillon wines share the Grenache and Syrah varieties with the best wines of the Côtes du Rhône—but in the Roussillon, they come up in a climate that more closely resembles that of nearby Spain. Ripe, rich, and fleshy, aged in tank and in the bottle, Piquemal Côtes du Roussillon Tradition 2017boasts the perfect combination of ripe fruit, herbal complexity, and drink-now freshness. For Rhône lovers willing to walk a bit out of their region, this is a no-brainer deal.  Most of all his should be a legitimate contender for a new house wine. Shipping included for on cases.

Marie-Pierre Piquemal

Marie-Pierre had an unlikely rise to Hachette’s Winemaker of the Year. She dabbled in winemaking before joining her family’s winery in 2002.  While working alongside her brother Franck until his death in 2010. Now, Marie-Pierre calls the shots at Domaine Piquemal, where she the wines are treated with a light touch. The Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan making up the Piquemal Côtes du Roussillon Tradition 2017 are hand-sorted and vinified by parcel to provide maximum flexibility in the final assemblage.