Rasteau has a reputation for big, powerful wines, but Elodie Balme is doing something a little different. I love her interpretation! Her 2024 Rasteau absolutely rocks. It’s got all the depth and character of a top-flight Chateauneuf or Gigondas, but it comes with a freshness and energy that just makes it more fun to drink.
If you love classically-styled Southern Rhones, you've got to try this. Balme is often mentioned alongside some of the top producers (Charvin, Gramenon, Santa Duc) in the region, but her Rasteau comes across a bit lighter on its feet, more polished, and with a lift that keeps you coming back for another sip. It also costs a lot less than those wines.
Balme started her domaine in 2006, taking over family vineyards that had previously gone to the co-op. Today, she farms organically on clay, sand, and limestone soils, working with Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, and Mourvedre. In the cellar, she keeps it simple with native yeast fermentations, aging in concrete and neutral oak, no filtration, and minimal sulfur.
This is natural wine done right, and her 2024 Rasteau is a wine that blew me away when I first tasted it. This is traditional to its core, showcasing gorgeous notes of black cherry, plum, wild herbs, garrigue, pepper, and spice. There’s real depth and ripeness, but what stands out most is the balance between the ripe fruit and the tannin combined with the wine's sublime texture. It’s got plenty of power, but it never feels heavy or tiring.
Jeb Dunnuck said it well: “Ripe, beautifully textured, forward, and charming, it has fine tannins and isn’t massive, but it’s elegant and seamless. It will drink beautifully for 10-12 years.”
This is a 95-pointer in my book. It's quite serious, but incredibly drinkable, and I'd have no problem putting it up against Rhones that cost 2-3x the price.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville
