Domaine de la Charité, Côtes du Rhône & Villages

This excellent Côtes du Rhône estate is managed by young winemaker Christophe Coste in Saze, west of Avignon. The estate was founded by Christophe's grandfather in 1970 at which time there were just 5 hectares (ha) producing grapes which were sold to the local cooperative. Now there are 45 ha of vines and some more with olive trees. That said, the estate is not growing too quickly: Christophe is keen not to let anything get out of his control.

In 1998, his first vintage after completing his degree in oenology, Christophe produced excellent Côtes du Rhône and Villages wines but his follow-up vintage in 1999 surpassed the high standard he set himself gaining him a "Coup de Coeur" in the Guide Hachette. The 2000 was another great success, earning him another exceptional citation. He has continued this trend with citations in every edition of the guide since then. Christophe is determined to respect the land and joined Terra Vitis, a grower's organisation whose members agree to follow organic principles (usually they are too small-scale to go for Ecocert status) early on.

Whilst the Côtes du Rhône is Christophe's main production, the family also has vines in the Villages appellation from which he makes two excellent cuvees, both a little richer than the Côtes du Rhône. However, Christophe is always looking for new challenges and, following a very successful vintage in 2004, he set aside some of the best Syrah which was aged in new oak for two years and bottled with the name "Ombres". This is a tour de force to rival good ripe Northern Rhône wines or the best cool climate Shiraz from Australia.