Saint Etienne Les Albizzias 2024 – Côtes du Rhône Red Wine

Domaine Saint-Étienne is an estate integrated into the Maison M. Chapoutier, one of the most prestigious wine houses in the Rhône Valley and the world. The history of M. Chapoutier dates back to 1808, when 'Calvet et Compagnie' was established in Tain, at the heart of the northern Rhône. Eight generations of the family have shaped an independent winery of deeply artisanal character, presided over since 1990 by Michel Chapoutier, a revolutionary figure in contemporary French wine. Domaine Saint-Étienne was acquired by M. Chapoutier at the end of August 2018, in Montfrin, a village in the Gard department in the southern Rhône Valley. The vineyard had already undergone conversion to organic farming at the time of acquisition, fitting naturally with the Maison's philosophy. Since 2018, the domaine has been producing wines under the appellations Côtes-du-Rhône, Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, Costières de Nîmes, and Pays d'Oc. The philosophy that distinguishes M. Chapoutier — and by extension Domaine Saint-Étienne — is biodynamic viticulture. Michel Chapoutier began this radical transition in 1991, with the goal of allowing the terroir to express itself with complete freedom, respecting its natural cycles and balances. The first biodynamically certified vintage arrived in 1999, marking a milestone in the winery's history. Among the most representative wines is the Domaine Saint-Étienne Univers M. Chapoutier Garrigue, a red wine from Côtes du Rhône displaying floral notes of jasmine and violet, aromas of garrigue and liquorice, with a fresh and fruity attack evoking wild berries and grenadine. M. Chapoutier is the most awarded winery in the world with 100 Robert Parker points, accumulating 54 labels with the maximum score. The house was also a pioneer in accessibility, introducing Braille on its wine labels in 1994.