Description

Was the perfect wine in March to celebrate “Women’s History Month”, then again in May for Mother’s Day festivities?  Just restocked and most appropriate for any Diva gathering or special celebration!

I give Renee full credit for finding this wine amongst a slew of backlogged samples needing assessment.  To say the least, she had every reason to be extremely excited when she insisted I must try the “La Diva” immediately.

“Land of the Ladies” is Dutch owner-winemaker Lidewij van Wilgen’s project founded in 2002 after she had successfully completed her French training in oenology and viticulture while refurbishing an 18^th century farmhouse and nurturing 14 hectares of old vines on terraced limestone-clay soils back to health (certified organic in 2009).  Divorced with 3 girls to raise, Wilgen’s passion, relentless determination, and success is on full display in the polished and seamless La Diva which comes from a small plot of 100 year old vines; a blend of 55% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 15% Alicante.

The 2016 Terre des Dames “La Diva” from the Languedoc-Roussillon region (Vin de Pays d’Oc)  of southern France is truly an extraordinary underpriced value!  Easily comparable to $65+ Provence-Rhone reds.  Should be priced in the low $30s.  Our price is just $27.95 a bottle.

Hand harvested from meager yields (less than one ton per acre), the perfectly ripened dark fruits undergo an indigenous fermentation, and then aging in 600 liter neutral French oak barrels for 12 months.  About 1,000 cases were produced.  Now at 7 years of age, the wine is still concentrated, while displaying complexity and contoured comfort on the palate.  Black olive tapenade, cured meats, black pepper, spice and fennel-garrigue.   Sumptuous, round and textured.  Should be enjoyable to drink for another 5 years at least.  Try with lamb, goat, or any serious cut of red meat prepared with Mediterranean slant!  Seriously!  Highly recommended!