All it takes is a glance at Kermit’s book Adventures on the Wine Route to understand the high esteem in which we hold the Dentelles de Montmirail in the southern Rhône valley and the appellations that surround this small chain of dramatic “teeth”-like peaks. Its western slopes are home to Gigondas, where Kermit and the Brunier family run Domaine Les Pallières. The southern slopes, meanwhile, descend into Beaumes-de-Venise, one of the region’s great crus for reds that show the spice, earthiness, and soul we love in our southern Rhône blends.
      The defining feature of the terroir in Beaumes-de-Venise is the soft, ochre Trias, a limestone soil that dates back to the earliest part of the Mesozoic era. Ordinarily, this soil would only be found thousands of feet underground, but as the Dentelles formed, they carried Triassic soil to the surface, where today it lends freshness and finesse to Beaumes-de-Venise’s reds. Add to this Durban’s prime position, perched high over the Rhône Valley, where the high elevation, cooler microclimate, and pine forests protecting the vines from fierce mistral winds all contribute to incredibly healthy and evenly ripened grapes. Evoking black fruit, garrigue, and spice, this rustic rouge is charming and versatile enough for long-simmering stews in the colder months and grilled chicken and sausages on the patio in these warmer months.