Châteauneuf-du-Pape
TERRE FERME RED
These vines grow in an area known as “Terre Ferme” on a south-facing hillside covered with rounded pebbles. This parcel planted with many of the 13 varietals authorized on AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape is cultivated with small yields to offer wine-lovers a subtle, complex, classy and elegant wine. Limited production.
VARIETALS
This area, planted with hundred-year-old vines and situated near the village of Bédarrides, classed amongst the great and historical terroirs of the Châteauneuf appellation. The parcel counts mainly Grenache vines, but over the years the different estate-owners have added Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Counoise and many other varietals permitted by the appellation.
SOIL/CLIMATE
On south-facing slopes. Some of the vines grow in clay-limestone soil covered with rounded pebbles and the others in sandy-clay soil with sandstones The climate is Mediterranean with two dry seasons (one in winter and a longer one in summer) and two rainy seasons (heavy some years in autumn and lighter in spring). Finally, the presence of the Mistral wind throughout the year is a real advantage for the healthy growth of the vines.
WINEMAKING
All the different varietals are harvested at the same time to make this cuvée for which the blending takes place directly in the vineyard. Manual harvesting with strict sorting on the vines and in the cellar. Parcellary vatting, grapes vinified mainly in whole bunches, fermentation at controlled temperature in concrete tulip vats. Gentle extraction exclusively by punch-downs. Hot maceration for a fortnight after fermentation. Ageing after malolactic fermentation, 100% in large wooden vats called “foudres” for 12 months and 6 months in concrete vats.
TASTING NOTES
A terroir wine with a limestone minerality which gives aromatic depth and a saline tension on the palate as well as a very fine-grain tannin. It really is the expression of the terroir, and the clay generates force and length. We obtain a classy and very noble wine, more sombre, with notes of roots and liquorice and a mouthfeel with a clean structure and superb length.
TASTING TIPS
A wine with great lay-down potential, to be enjoyed with gourmet dishes.
We recommend serving at 18°C.
CERTIFICATIONS / LABELS
Jeb Dunnuck (october 2016) 91/93
Concours des Vignerons Indépendants de France 2018 Bronze Medal
Jeff LEVE The Wine Cellar Insider (June 2017) 92/100
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