Red dry
This is one of the most authentic voices of Vinsobres AOC, uniting the freshness of high-altitude slopes, the tension of limestone–clay terroir, and the craftsmanship of Louis Barruol. The wine is shaped by three noble Southern Rhône varieties: ‘Grenache’, ‘Syrah’, and ‘Mourvèdre’.
On the nose, the wine opens with layers of black cherries, blueberries, blackberries, and gently sweet plums. These are joined by wild herbs, black pepper, nutmeg, a subtle smoky note, and a mineral reflection of limestone. The aromatic profile is pure and elegant, yet it carries a deep maturity characteristic of higher-elevation Vinsobres parcels.
On the palate, the wine is rich and concentrated, yet maintains a noble structure. ‘Grenache’ brings warm fruit and supple texture, ‘Syrah’ contributes spice, depth, and a touch of granitic minerality, while ‘Mourvèdre’ adds firm structure and longevity. The tannins are silky and polished, the acidity lively, and the flavour profile marked by dark berries and savoury spice.
The vines grow in soils of limestone, clay, and sand, with abundant stones that absorb heat during the day and release it slowly at night, ensuring slow and even ripening. The elevated position of Vinsobres provides natural coolness, preserving fruit purity, acidity, and the precision of the terroir.
Winemaking follows Rouanne’s naturalistic philosophy: fermentation takes place with native yeasts, and ageing occurs in a combination of used French oak barrels and concrete vats, preserving fruit purity and an elegant, gently textured style.
Serve at 16-18 °C. It pairs well with tomato dishes such as ratatouille, and can be combined with lamb, venison, or beef.
Château de Rouanne is a historic estate with a 12th century medieval castle, situated on a classified Roman site located in the southern Rhône Valley. The name of the estate comes from "Rugius", which is said to be the name of the original Roman owner. The estate totals 72 hectares, including 62 hectares of vines. Château de Rouanne is located in the appellation of Vinsobres, which was established in 2006. The appellation is situated in the northern part of the southern Rhône. Like Gigondas, it is a relatively cool-climate region thanks in part to the “Pontias”, a cold, nocturnal wind that blows down from the Alps into the valley through the town of Nyons and into Vinsobres. Vinsobres is particularly known for producing outstanding Grenache-based wines. Château de Rouanne was purchased by Louis Barruol, owner and winemaker of Château de Saint Cosme, in May of 2019. Barruol sees enormous potential in Château de Rouanne, having worked with the previous owners for years as a source for some of his négociant wines. “It reminds me a lot of Saint Cosme when I took it over in 1992. It’s an unknown sleeping beauty waiting for a vigneron to truly love it.” The vineyard of Château de Rouanne is a unique single block, planted entirely with 50+ year old vines, which are a selection massale of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. The ancient terroir is comprised of limestone and sandy marl soils dating back to the Pliocene epoch. Located at the bottom of the Rouanne hill, the Guérin lieu-dit delivers a distinct interpretation of the estate’s unique vineyard.
