VDF Reynard Rebels Domaine Milan 2023

VDF Reynard Rebels Domaine Milan, natural wine, organic, Carignan, Merlot, juicy, well balanced, classic Milan note of natural vibrancy, outstandingly good wine. Le Vallon ten years ago was a little like this wine, (certainly in terms of price!), fresh and easy going, serve chilled in the summer, goes with everything. The Vines for Le Vallon are that bit older now and Vallon has become a whole lot more serious. It was always capable of ageing but now it ages with more grace, the current 2021 is superb, a cross between Southern French Grenache and top Burgundy. Clos Milan even more so. So now to fill that space in your wine rack, the little Rebel. A great blend of Carignan and Merlot which works really well, freshness abounds, loads of juicy berry fruit and notes of garrigue, splendid!

Henri Milan has always done thing his way, and broke away from the Baux de Provence AOC so as to have the freedom to produce the wines he wanted.

The Domaine was started by Henri's father Robert in 1956, but it wasn't until Henri took over in the mid-80s that he converted to organic production. Influenced by Claude Courtois and Claude Bourguignon, Henri began to vinify the different sections of his vineyard separately and moved further towards natural production. He now grows a number of grape varieties including Grenache, Syrah, Grenache Blanc, Rolle, Roussanne and Chardonnay. The only chemical treatment used during the entire process of growth and vinification is a small amount of sulphur dioxide, which is added, on some rare occasions, during bottling. Fermentation always takes place naturally, with the grapes blended at the beginning of the process, rather than at the end. His wines have a wonderful purity and expression of terroir.