Vineyards producing the La Ramillade wines are located in various appellations in Gigondas and the surrounding Villages.  The name comes from thorns of the local Umbrella Pine, which the workers burned to keep warm during the winter pruning period. 

2006 La Ramillade Cotes Du Rhone
Dense purple in color. Hints of lavender and leather on the nose. Brimming over with fresh, almost floral-inflected black cherries on the palate. A leathery note emerges on the finish, adding a further nuance to this modestly priced wine. I've had Vacqueras and Gigondas like this--wines that are often well more expensive than this gem of a wine.

2005 La Ramillade Gigondas
Sweet nose of blackberry, cherry, creme de cassis, and forest floor. Intense but velvety, with a medium- to full-body that holds robust black fruit and spice flavor. A blast to drink. Drink with game and sweet blue cheeses.

2005 La Ramillade Rasteu
Red violet color with the correct lavender and blueberry nose. A bit grapey at first, but spicy. This is a middleweight wine with some light touches of cedar and just a hint of pepper.