Domaine Pique-Basse

Domaine Pique-Basse

I am always encouraged when a potential new source of wine does its best to remain invisible and has no sign to indicate its location or encourage visitors. This policy suggests that its wines may be remarkable enough to sell themselves to those who have managed to track them down. At a loss myself to locate the cellar, I called in to the local ‘depot de pain’ on the edge of Roaix for assistance. The man that I duly interrogated told me confidently that I would not be able to find Monsieur Tropet, but he did venture to reveal the whereabouts of the house (which I had already driven past about three times) and on arrival I was welcomed by Olivier’s mother Chantal who had indeed been alerted to my appointment. She seemed quite surprised that I had managed to make it, and only 20 minutes late! The wines were well worth the effort involved in the hunt for them. My tasting notes sing of aromatic vitality, fine balance and depth of flavour. They offer great value for money. I might just add that I am not alone in my admiration here it would seem, for in a Decanter Magazine review early in 2017, the three expert tasters on the panel, including John Livingstone-Learmonth, a friend and the leading authority on Rhone wine, were unanimous in selecting Olivier’s wine as the top wine in the tasting of Southern Rhone wines.