Domaine Saint-Damien takes its name from St. Damien, an early Christian martyr (287 A.D.) later venerated as the patron saint of doctors. A chapel dedicated to him once stood in La Baumette, just outside Gigondas, where the Saurel family has farmed for generations and today, Joel Saurel and his son Romain guide the certified organic domaine known for benchmark Gigondas wines of power and finesse as well as intensely concentrated, great-value Côtes du Rhône bottlings. Farming is focused on old vines and low yields, with winemaking that is resolutely traditional: fermentation and aging in concrete and old casks, never new oak, and native yeast. Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu is a relatively new Appellation d’Origen Controlee that is a step up from regular Côtes du Rhône Villages and this example comes from particularly old vines (vieilles vignes) on the lower terraces of a single vineyard in the commune of Violès. The blend is 80% Grenache, 15% Carignan, and 5% Mourvèdre. While these are some of the same varieties found in Kivelstadt’s “Father’s Watch,” the comparison ends there as Grenache dominates, and, in this part of the Rhône, the more Grenache, the better. This is a remarkably elegant Côtes du Rhône Villages with the trademark Grenache flavors of cherries and plums, with nutmeg, garrigue and white pepper. Velvety tannins and moderate tannins make this great accompaniment to lamb, hearty stew or pork shoulder.