ABOUT: Anne-Marie Gaudin and her father Rolland at Domaine du Terme make natural wines that squarely represent the Southern Rhone regions of Gigondas, Sablet, and a perfect little 3 hectares in Vacqueyras. The Grenache and Syrah vines are 45 years old and the wines are made with natural yeasts resulting in a tortoiselike fermentation. Their approach is traditional and the resulting wines illustrate the vintage clearly, with all its glory and folly. Only 20% of their production is exported so get it while you can. TASTE: The smell of this Grenache/Syrah blend by Domaine du Terme cracks with ripe red and black fruits, potting soil, leather, tar, some smoke and licorice. It’s full bodied and rich (15% alcohol) and ends with a long finish. The tannins are unique, I’ve seen the word “polished” used to describe them but glossy they ain’t. We’d use the word “grippy” to describe them. 2015 was a great vintage in the Southern Rhone, get some now. PAIR: Baked beans, toasted nuts, Bucatini with roasted porcini mushroom ragu, pan-fried sesame garlic tofu, and Szechuan style green beans.
