Vignobles Strasser-Radziwill: an expression of the Southern Rhone

Vignobles Strasser-Radziwill is composed of several wine estates, located in the beautiful appellations of the Southern Rhone valley, and was born from the passion of Arnaud and Isabelle Strasser.

The company consists of estates including the Domaine de Coyeux in Beaumes de Venise, the Domaine le Prieuré des Papes in Châteauneuf-du-Papes, the Domaine de la Pousterle in the Luberon and the Domaine du Moulin Blanc in Tavel.

After purchasing in 2016 a wine estate in southern Luberon, the Domaine de la Pousterle, the Strassers bought the Domaine La Millière near La Vieille Julienne in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, located in a sandy northern section known as the Cabrières. It was here that there love affair with the town and region become clear, and deepened.

The old, late-ripening vines of La Millière, which were certified agriculture biologique since 2014, was reborn into the Domaine Le Prieuré des Pape, with the addition of produce from Les Girard du Boucou.

Then, in 2020, the company expanded further, purchasing the Domaine du Moulin Blanc in the Tavel appelation, producing what it describes as a gastronomic rosé: a fine and distinct pink wine, suitable for ageing, and a good match for food. In addition, the producer added to its portfolio the Domaine de Coyeux in Beaumes de Venise in the rolling, dramatic hillsides found to the north of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

But the business is also more than a wine producer, and in 2020 it purchased a hotel and restaurant overlooking the Rhône valley, producing a Michelin star in its first year under the guidance of chef Christophe Hardiquest. The hospitality element of the business includes a shop selling local food and produce, as the wine producer has fully embraced the magic of the Châteauneuf locality. The producer also offers private wine tours in Domaine de Coyeux and Domaine Prieuré des Papes.

Unsurprisingly, its wines won medals at our annual autumn tasting, including a much sought-after Master award. See below for the medallists as well as tasting notes from our esteemed panel of judges, which included a number of Masters of Wine.

La Bessade

Producer: Domaine Le Prieuré des Papes

Region: Chateauneuf de Pape

Country: France

Vintage: 2019

Grape varieties: 97% Grenache, 3% Mourvèdre

ABV: 15%

Approx. retail price: £60

Medal: Silver

Palish garnet. Clean and fresh. Light intensity. Developing. Muted. Dry, mid-low acidity, mid bodied, warm alcohol, yielding tannins. No rough edges. Mid-length. Limpid pale ruby. Restrained on the nose. Charming red cherry palate. 

Premières fleurs

Producer: Domaine de Coyeux

Region: IGP Méditerranée

Country: France

Vintage: NV

Grape varieties: 100% Muscat à petit grain

ABV: 14%

Approx. retail price: £10

Medal: Silver

An expressive, earthy, perfumed nose with honeysuckle and peach blossom aromatics and a hint of grassy, herbaceous notes. Distinctive palate, rich and up-front, with rich texture, quite powerful and uncompromising. Herbal, aromatic, aromatic wild herbs, and mint carried through to palate, full on flavour, mineral finish. 

Le Couchant

Producer: Domaine Le Prieuré des Papes

Region: Chateauneuf-de-Pape

Country: France

Vintage: 2019

Grape varieties: 60% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre

ABV: 16%

Approx. retail price: £60

Medal: Master

Blueberries, black cherries and bacon fat combine for the complex and enticing aromas of this powerful wine.  On the palate it has excellent concentration, with some soft, fleshy plum and black cherry fruit.  The alcohol is warming, but there is a good balance of refreshing acidity. It’s tannins are firm but fine and supple, and the finish textured, long and balanced with some elegance. This is a complete wine, and completely enjoyable. Pair with a mushroom goulash or roast haunch of venison, ideally with some juniper berries in the jus.

Le Prieuré

Producer: Domaine Le Prieuré des Papes

Region: Côtes du Rhône

Country: France

Vintage: 2020

Grape varieties: 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah

ABV: 13%

Approx. retail price: £13

Medal: Silver

A fragrant nose with violets and cassis. Light-bodied. Fruit on the palate with firm tannic structure and a hot finish. Good intensity, fairly soft. Open and attractive. 

Les Jumelles

Producer: Domaine de Coyeux

Region: Beaumes de Venise

Country: France

Vintage: 2020

Grape varieties: 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre

ABV: 15%

Approx. retail price: £13

Medal: Silver

A dry, full body, which is richly fruited, and a lively acidity, dense tannins, and a grainy-textured, some length. Clean, violets and roses, cherries and plums.