In our view, one of the most fascinating Appellations in the Rhone Valley... Ranking among the greatest Terroirs, this Cru is a real breeding ground for Great Wines...And, once again, it delivers on all of its promises, with a “hearts of Coteaux” Cuvée, on the emblematic Terroir of Mauves.
Presentation
The vintage
2015 - Vintages in « 5 », vintages which bring good luck. Often…
Spell of the years in « 5 » ? The fact is that, in recent decades, Vintages ending in « 5 » - 1985, 1995, 2005, and 2015 - , carry success stories, in Vallée du Rhône, but also, more generally, in the whole of the Vineyards of France. It must be said that 2015 put the odds on its side, with almost optimal climatic conditions for each and every season of the year! Thus, winter is rainy, allowing vines to benefit from good water reserves. Spring awakening is somewhat late - 3 weeks delay, compared to 2014, yet, the weather gradually settles, and flowering takes place in excellent conditions: the output of grapes is quite simply outstanding. The summer period arrives then quickly, with extremely hot months of June, July and August. Nevertheless, one cannot speak of heat wave, as the nights remain cool. Consequently, thermal amplitudes are absolutely phenomenal. No pressure from pests and diseases, the vineyard and the winemaker breathe freely. Everything is looking fine before the start of the harvest…
Ripe, but not too much. Summer and the month of September are punctuated by rains, avoiding the suffering of the vines, a key element during the summer period. The grapes mature slowly. Unfortunately, the rain that falls around September 20th is the "too much” rain... Pity, we were right next to a huge Vintage… But, well, no worry, the Style of the Vintage remains more than charming, with full, juicy, and silkiest Wines !
Spell of the years in « 5 » ? The fact is that, in recent decades, Vintages ending in « 5 » - 1985, 1995, 2005, and 2015 - , carry success stories, in Vallée du Rhône, but also, more generally, in the whole of the Vineyards of France. It must be said that 2015 put the odds on its side, with almost optimal climatic conditions for each and every season of the year! Thus, winter is rainy, allowing vines to benefit from good water reserves. Spring awakening is somewhat late - 3 weeks delay, compared to 2014, yet, the weather gradually settles, and flowering takes place in excellent conditions: the output of grapes is quite simply outstanding. The summer period arrives then quickly, with extremely hot months of June, July and August. Nevertheless, one cannot speak of heat wave, as the nights remain cool. Consequently, thermal amplitudes are absolutely phenomenal. No pressure from pests and diseases, the vineyard and the winemaker breathe freely. Everything is looking fine before the start of the harvest…
Ripe, but not too much. Summer and the month of September are punctuated by rains, avoiding the suffering of the vines, a key element during the summer period. The grapes mature slowly. Unfortunately, the rain that falls around September 20th is the "too much” rain... Pity, we were right next to a huge Vintage… But, well, no worry, the Style of the Vintage remains more than charming, with full, juicy, and silkiest Wines !
Terroir
La Madonne sur Chavanay, Coteaux Vitrine sur Saint-Pierre-de-Bœuf, Sainte-Epine sur St-Jean de Muzols, les Oliviers sur Mauves.
Type of soil
Hard and decomposed granits.
Ageing
12 months in new and one vintage barrels. Allier et Tronçais. Then 6 months in foudre.
Vinification
1/3 non distemmed.
Varietals
Serine
Syrah
Syrah
Specifications
Alcohol content : 13% % vol.
Bottling : Without fining and filtration.
Age of vines : Serine: over 100 years, Syrah: 60 years. years old
Advice
Serving
16°C
Decant an hour before tasting.
Decant an hour before tasting.
Reviews
"Purplish crimson. Gorgeously aromatic with heady scents of blossom and menthol. Very broad and ripe on the palate. Nothing remotely austere about this. Full-on charm! Massive sinew but no shortage of flesh either. Dry but not drying finish. Real energy here. "
"The saturated, inky purple-colored 2015 St Joseph Vieilles Vignes is a deep, concentrated and structured wine that offers obvious minerality intermixed with notions of black and blue fruits, graphite, toasty oak and roasted herbs. Possessing high extract, notable freshness and ripe tannin, give bottles 2-3 years of cellaring and enjoy over the following decade."
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