IN THE VINEYARD….This Certified Organic vineyard was planted in 2009 by M.Chapoutier in the Landsborough region of the Pyrenees in deep and ancient Cambrian-Ordovician sandstones and shales. ‘The Pyrenees foothills and ranges create a remarkable diversity of microclimates and soils that provide wealth of variety for winemakers. The cool weather patterns and unique soil in this region are an ideal place for the development of Chapoutier’s biodynamic winegrowing philosophy, and of extending Rhône traditions’’. The sedimentary geology of this site is long weathered and friable, with the vineyard set amongst steep rolling quartz riddled hills allowing deep penetration of roots into the soil. The vineyard is farmed by Cory Hope who keeps this large commercial site in amazing balance and harmony. Undervine cultivation and mulching occurs annually across the site with all vine work carried out by hand. Irrigation is kept to a minimum and disease pressure at this vineyard is always very low. My second year working with this site and this grower. Also Troy is a 10/10 nice guy and always on the phone to check in.

IN THE WINERY…. Picked a little riper this year to let flavour develop more fully on the vine. In the winery we fermented this fruit in two equal ferments, each with 25% whole bunches topped with destemmed fruit. A more restrained approach to ferment management this year with gentle pump overs early and later hand plunging of  the cap. As ferment slowed we pressed both pots and settled in tank before moving them to our new 3000L Nico Velo concrete vessel. The thick walls and low porosity, coupled with a tulip shaped form yielded a wine of great aromatic lift and fruit presence with wonderfully energetic tannins. The wine/lees interaction is very different in a vessel of this size and form and texturally this wine has benefited from this experience!

IN THE GLASS…. Notes of cherry, stewed quince, rhubarb and plum aromatically, with cinnamon, star anise. Fruit jumps from the glass with more energy than previous expressions we’ve made, met with a mouthful of generous fruit and lively tannins. A discernible difference in the glass this year….vitality, lift and energy. Grenache has really enjoyed its time in concrete! The palate is dry and medium bodied with soft, ripe fruit of fresh plum and cherry. There is a savoury herbaceous element reminiscent of amaro.

xxxooo

Wild yeast - Unadjusted - Unfiltered - Low Sulphur - Certified Organic