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Wine Description
The Story
This vineyard is littered with the famous "galets" or pudding stones characteristic of the area, but in reality the subsoil is far more important - quaternary terrace, with a complex and varied mixture of red clay and ferruginous sand. The vines are the oldest Châteauneuf-du-Pape vines in existence (about 90 years old age). This unique hilltop vineyard West of the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape makes some of the silkiest and most elegant wines in the region. Its biodynamic culture ensures the low yields (15-20 hl/ha) necessary to create a pure and intense Grenache-only wine. Late picking develops exotic aromas in this very well-built and long flavoured wine.
Grape variety
Grenache. 90 year old vines
Soil
Quaternacy terrace with a surface of shingles coming from the former bed of Rhône. The plot producing this single vineyard has a complex and various geological composition.
Harvesting
The grapes are carefully selected during the harvest. This sorting is compulsory and allows the selection of the best brunches of grapes.
Vinification
In vats made of concrete covered with epoxy resin as Grenache is sensitive to oxidation. The grapes are 100% destemmed, fermentation lasts about 3 weeks at a temperature which varies from 30 to 33° C. Only the free-run juice is used in this single vineyard.
Maturing
Ageing in vats for 14 to 16 months. Then 6 months ageing in bottle.
Ageing potential: +25 years
Matching food
All kind of meat. Large game. Stew
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is an AOC for wines made near the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Rhône wine region in southeastern France. It is the most renowned appellation of the southern partof the Rhône Valley.
The characteristic terroir of Châteauneuf-du-Pape comes from a layer of stones called galets("pebbles"). The stone retains heat during the day and releases it at night which can have an effect of hastening the ripening of grapes.
Red Grenache is the most common variety. Grenache produces a sweet juice that can have almost a jam-like consistency when very ripe. Syrah is typically blended to provide color and spice, while Mourvèdre can add elegance and structure to the wine.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape red wines are often described as earthy with gamy flavors that have hints of tar and leather. The wines are considered tough and tannic in their youth but maintain their rich, spiciness as they age. The wines often exhibit aromas of dried herbs common in Provence under the name of garrigue.