Alcohol: 13%
Grape(s): 65% Grenache, 35% Cinsault
Location: Tavel, Rhone Valley, France
Tasting Notes: A burst of spice and vibrant, juicy fruit lifts from the glass, carrying straight onto the palate with energy and clarity. The wine shows the hallmark richness of a full‑bodied rosé, delivering generous, ripe fruit while staying beautifully balanced. A clean mineral cut tightens the finish, giving the wine both freshness and a refined sense of structure.
Notes: The fruit for this wine is grown on galets roulés soils, those iconic rounded stones also found in Châteauneuf‑du‑Pape, which help regulate temperature and concentrate flavor. The vines, planted in the 1980s, bring maturity and depth to the grapes, yielding complexity in the finished wine. Notably, the profile on Wine‑Searcher indicates no added sulfites, underscoring a commitment to purity and a more natural expression of terroir.
Food pairing: This wine pairs well with a wide range of dishes, from grilled or roasted poultry to classic Mediterranean fare like herbed chicken or ratatouille. Its structure and spice make it a natural match for spiced couscous, while its richness pairs beautifully with charcuterie and aged cheeses. It also has the depth to complement fuller‑flavored seafood such as salmon, tuna, and other richer fish, making it an impressively versatile table companion.
Winery Story: After 20 years of managing the family vineyards and bringing fruit to the local cooperative, Alexandre, at the age of 40, decided to start making some wine on his own.
In 2019, he bought a parcel outside of the family holding and started the adventure of the Domaine Alexandre Hote. Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah on Galets roulés, those big round rocks often found in the nearby Chateauneuf du Pape AOC, on top of clay-limestone subsoil.
Alexandre is a dedicated vigneron, spending most of his time in the vineyards, but his approach to winemaking isn't a second thought. For years he had been experimenting in his garage making tiny amounts of wine.
