Ollieux Romanis 2021 Cuvee Prestige Rouge

The Wine

A blend of Carignan, Mourvedre, Syrah and Grenache (45%, 25%, 20% and 10%), this is classic wine of the Corbières, if not a new high point for the Southern Rhone. Red and blue fruit dominate but nicely supported by classic garrigue - the herby undergrowth throughtout the south of France.

The Winery

The winery is located in the Corbieres wine region in Southern France. In this part of the world, Roman aquaducts are still very much a part of modern life. The winery's history also goes as far back as the Romans, with documents showing the property was once home to livestock, olive trees and cereal grains. The original farmhouse became a Priory, then a distillery and then, in the 1700s, it reached its highest purpose and became a winery. 

Though a family dispute divided the property in 1872, it was recently reunited, some four generations later. They now manage the vineyards once belonging to both sides of the family, including pre-phylloxera vines growing in soils the pesky ahid found inhospitable. 

The reason this winery remains successful today is their decision to break away from a focus on the wine trade and instead to focus on the consumer. These guys were operating a successful DTC business long before the acronym meant "Direct to Consumer"!