domaine de trevallon rouge 1994

located on the northern slope of the alpilles, between avignon and arles, near st rémy de provence, the domaine de trévallon was acquired in 1955 by rené dürrbach, father of the current owner. this painter and sculptor, friend of picasso, léger, gleizes, sought to escape the hustle and bustle of the côte d'azur to retreat to a quieter area. in 1973, at the age of 23, his son, eloi dürrbach, then a student of architecture in paris, decided to settle in one of the mas, that of trévallon, and create a vineyard flying part of the hills that surround the estate. the first vineyards were planted in the winter of 1973, in an extraordinary setting, a mixture of garrigues and limestone rocks. the vineyard consists of small plots located within a two-kilometer radius of the winery. the vines are grown naturally and traditionally without insecticides, fertilizers or chemical herbicides. for the production of red wines, eloï durbach has chosen a 50/50 split between cabernet sauvignon and syrah. this decision led inao to refuse to approve its wine as aoc baux de provence when the name was created in 1993. the problem was the cabernet sauvignon, which was over-represented in the mix. radiantly natural, this cuvée is simply magical and expresses a rare balance. the nose is atalcada and vibrant, with hints of forest fruits. in the mouth is soft and velvety.