FREE DELIVERY over £100 | Extra 10% off orders of 12 bottles+ | Most deliveries are made on Thursdays | Click for More Info



The Modest Merchant
London, E2


@modestmerchant
office@themodestmerchant.com


LAB0221RW
Escartefigue Rouge
2021
Rhone
Organic Farming
Selected Yeasts
Low Sulphur

Regular price £19.45

Tax included.
Make a trade enquiry

Ventoux AOC is an exciting area in the south-eastern region of the Rhone, where wines are produced in 51 communes along the lower slopes of the Ventoux Mountain, as part of the Vaucluse Mountains. Typically, Ventoux has been seen as somewhere to get fantastic value Rhone blends, predominantly using Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Ventoux wines are distinctive not because of the soil, as with so many French wines, but because of the climate. The days are some of the hottest in the region, and yet the nights are some of the coldest, resulting in grapes being picked much later than its more famous counterpart, Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Harvest is more often than not well into October, so the grapes are cooler and have a much longer time to develop flavours.

Thomas and Fanny's journey began in Toulouse, where they both studied agronomy and oenology, forming a strong bond that extended beyond wine to a shared love for trekking and surfing. The idea of making wine together came to life in 2010 when Fanny, visiting the Rhône Valley with her family, joined Thomas, who was already consulting with winegrowers in Ventoux and Vacqueyras. Captivated by the area’s potential, they founded Labadens, firmly believing in the exceptional quality of the clay-limestone soils, the continental climate, and the outstanding fruit that the region offers. Their mission has remained clear from the outset: to craft balanced, high-quality wines without the use of chemicals in either the vineyard or the winery. All of their vineyards are either certified organic or farmed organically, with certification expected in the coming year. They ferment using indigenous yeasts and add minimal sulphur, ensuring a natural expression of the terroir. For red wines, traditional concrete vats are used, while the Escartefigue wines stand out for their modern, refreshing approach to the Rhône. These wines are produced without oak, with the red undergoing semi-carbonic maceration, resulting in wines that are vibrant, fresh, and true to the essence of the region. 

Tasting note: Cool carbonic maceration with a light extraction leads to blackcurrent, ripe cherry and blueberry. Good retention of fruit coming through. The tannins are delicate and soft and with the low alcohol this makes for a light-bodied, very drinkable red! A touch of iron and pepper on the finish.
Winemaking Detail: Harvest a little before full ripeness to keep the varietal flavours and lower alcohol; harvested at night for maximum freshness. Gentle pressing at low temperatures, vinification and ageing in stainless steel. Bottled early February.
Features Blueberry Red cherry Blackcurrent Light Soft

Features Blackcurrent, Blueberry, Light, Peppery, Red cherry, Soft,
Tasting note Cool carbonic maceration with a light extraction leads to blackcurrent, ripe cherry and blueberry. Good retention of fruit coming through. The tannins are delicate and soft and with the low alcohol this makes for a light-bodied, very drinkable red! A touch of iron and pepper on the finish.
Drink with
Margherita, Passata, Roast chicken,

Wine details

Country France
Region Rhone
Producer Labadens
Wine Name Escartefigue Rouge
Colour Red
Style Juicy & Ripe
Vintage 2021
Main Grape Alicante
Other Grapes 20% Merlot; 20% Grenache
Size 75cl
Closure Cork
A.B.V. 0.125
Production 4872
Aging 6 months in Stainless steel
Soil Sand; clay; salt
Time to drink Now - 2026
Winemaking Detail Harvest a little before full ripeness to keep the varietal flavours and lower alcohol, harvested at night for maximum freshness. Gentle pressing at low temperatures, vinification and ageing in stainless steel. Bottled early February.

LAB0221RW
Labadens
Escartefigue Rouge
2021
Rhone
Organic Farming
Selected Yeasts
Low Sulphur

Ventoux AOC is an exciting area in the south-eastern region of the Rhone, where wines are produced in 51 communes along the lower slopes of the Ventoux Mountain, as part of the Vaucluse Mountains. Typically, Ventoux has been seen as somewhere to get fantastic value Rhone blends, predominantly using Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Ventoux wines are distinctive not because of the soil, as with so many French wines, but because of the climate. The days are some of the hottest in the region, and yet the nights are some of the coldest, resulting in grapes being picked much later than its more famous counterpart, Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Harvest is more often than not well into October, so the grapes are cooler and have a much longer time to develop flavours.

Thomas and Fanny's journey began in Toulouse, where they both studied agronomy and oenology, forming a strong bond that extended beyond wine to a shared love for trekking and surfing. The idea of making wine together came to life in 2010 when Fanny, visiting the Rhône Valley with her family, joined Thomas, who was already consulting with winegrowers in Ventoux and Vacqueyras. Captivated by the area’s potential, they founded Labadens, firmly believing in the exceptional quality of the clay-limestone soils, the continental climate, and the outstanding fruit that the region offers. Their mission has remained clear from the outset: to craft balanced, high-quality wines without the use of chemicals in either the vineyard or the winery. All of their vineyards are either certified organic or farmed organically, with certification expected in the coming year. They ferment using indigenous yeasts and add minimal sulphur, ensuring a natural expression of the terroir. For red wines, traditional concrete vats are used, while the Escartefigue wines stand out for their modern, refreshing approach to the Rhône. These wines are produced without oak, with the red undergoing semi-carbonic maceration, resulting in wines that are vibrant, fresh, and true to the essence of the region. 

Tasting note: Cool carbonic maceration with a light extraction leads to blackcurrent, ripe cherry and blueberry. Good retention of fruit coming through. The tannins are delicate and soft and with the low alcohol this makes for a light-bodied, very drinkable red! A touch of iron and pepper on the finish.
Winemaking Detail: Harvest a little before full ripeness to keep the varietal flavours and lower alcohol; harvested at night for maximum freshness. Gentle pressing at low temperatures, vinification and ageing in stainless steel. Bottled early February.
Features Blueberry Red cherry Blackcurrent Light Soft

Features Blackcurrent, Blueberry, Light, Peppery, Red cherry, Soft,
Tasting note Cool carbonic maceration with a light extraction leads to blackcurrent, ripe cherry and blueberry. Good retention of fruit coming through. The tannins are delicate and soft and with the low alcohol this makes for a light-bodied, very drinkable red! A touch of iron and pepper on the finish.
Drink with
Margherita, Passata, Roast chicken,

Wine details

Country France
Region Rhone
Producer Labadens
Wine Name Escartefigue Rouge
Style Juicy & Ripe
Vintage 2021
Main Grape Alicante
Other Grapes 20% Merlot; 20% Grenache
Size 75cl
Closure Cork
A.B.V. 0.125
Production 4872
Aging 6 months in Stainless steel
Soil Sand; clay; salt
Time to drink Now - 2026
Winemaking Detail Harvest a little before full ripeness to keep the varietal flavours and lower alcohol, harvested at night for maximum freshness. Gentle pressing at low temperatures, vinification and ageing in stainless steel. Bottled early February.