Domaine Des Banquettes Rhone
Gravity-fed Rhone from Rasteau, poured in Commack since the start
The story behind Domaine Des Banquettes
Christelle and Patrice Andre built Domaine Des Banquettes in January 2002, but the family has farmed this ground since 1910 and sold into the cooperative from 1951. The cellar sits on a natural slope in Rasteau with a 9 meter drop from grape reception to the aging room, so juice moves by gravity and never through a pump. Thirty hectares across Rasteau, Violes and Sablet, planted to Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan, Cinsault and Grenache Blanc, with old vines averaging 35 years.
The name comes from the Provencal word bancau, the stepped stone terraces where Patrice's grandfather kept his garden. We have carried these bottles for years because the wines taste like the place and the prices stay honest.
Explore the Domaine Des Banquettes range
Three bottlings from the same Rasteau cellar: a fortified Grenache dessert wine, the estate Rasteau red, and the Cuvee Anais.
| Expression | Type | Proof / ABV | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vin Doux Naturel 500mL | Fortified dessert wine, 100% old-vine Grenache | About 33 proof (roughly 16.5% ABV) | Sweet, dark plum and fig, warm spice, long finish |
| Rasteau 750mL | Southern Rhone red, Grenache Syrah Mourvedre | About 29 proof (roughly 14.5% ABV) | Black cherry, garrigue, pepper, firm Rasteau tannin |
| Rasteau Cuvee Anais 750mL | Southern Rhone red, barrel aged 12 to 24 months | About 29 proof (roughly 14.5% ABV) | Deeper fruit, French oak, cocoa, structured finish |
| Cotes du Rhone Rouge | Red blend with Carignan, value tier | About 28 to 29 proof | Juicy red fruit, soft tannin, everyday pour |
| Cotes du Rhone Blanc | Dry white, Grenache Blanc Roussanne Clairette | About 26 proof | Stone fruit, white flowers, clean mineral finish |
| Plan de Dieu Villages | Cotes du Rhone Villages red, Violes terroir | About 29 proof | Ripe Grenache, dried herb, rounded clay-soil texture |
Which Domaine Des Banquettes is right for you?
The pricing is the reason we keep these on the shelf. The Vin Doux Naturel 500mL runs $7.99, a fortified old-vine Grenache dessert wine for less than most entry reds. The Rasteau 750mL is $13.41 and the Rasteau Cuvee Anais 750mL is $13.99, both currently out of stock, so call (631) 343-7200 and we will tell you when the next pallet lands. Buy Domaine Des Banquettes online or walk in at 1171 Jericho Turnpike in Commack and we will pull it for you.
Old-vine Grenache fortified to 16.5% ABV, sweet and warming, $7.99 a bottle.
Gravity-fed Grenache Syrah Mourvedre at $13.41, tannin enough for steak.
Barrel aged 12 to 24 months, $13.99, worth laying down a few.
Domaine Des Banquettes cocktails and pairings
Rasteau red wants roasted lamb, braised beef or hard cheese. The Vin Doux Naturel goes with blue cheese and dark chocolate.