Tiny yields, homeopathic quantities, convinced us to introduce but one single «Vieilles Vignes» Cuvée in 2013...
Presentation
The vintage
2013 recalls vintages of the early 80s, with wines of heterogeneous quality. Most striking feature: the old vine did not, as is the rule, make the difference. Exceptional... indeed, some sectors suffered a lot, with a historically low harvest, due to "coulure" but also to the extreme cold of the preceding year. Therefore, the old vine had trouble ripening its - too scarce - grapes : it kept on growing, thus « forgetting » its fruit. Another observation : it seems that vignerons who pruned in March succeeded better.
With regards to 2013, as you will have understood, detecting the “right” areas was even wiser than focusing on the very old vines exclusively. This is the approach which we operated. Harvest : the unusually cool and rainy spring has, from the start, conditioned the year, imposing a late harvest - in october... In some sectors, it was only completed on October 29th. and some of our partners who have vineyards at higher altitudes, cooler, early November !
To date, our wines display beautiful colours, with a distinguished, fresh fruit. A touch of austerity, with tannins which can be marked on some "cuvées". Not the shadow of a doubt : here are wines which call for "élevage"! And, if they lack, for the time being, a little harmony and roundness, they appear very "trendy", as though they had been designed for some markets in demand of wines that are fresh, yet typical, balanced, yet with moderate alcoholic degrees...
With regards to 2013, as you will have understood, detecting the “right” areas was even wiser than focusing on the very old vines exclusively. This is the approach which we operated. Harvest : the unusually cool and rainy spring has, from the start, conditioned the year, imposing a late harvest - in october... In some sectors, it was only completed on October 29th. and some of our partners who have vineyards at higher altitudes, cooler, early November !
To date, our wines display beautiful colours, with a distinguished, fresh fruit. A touch of austerity, with tannins which can be marked on some "cuvées". Not the shadow of a doubt : here are wines which call for "élevage"! And, if they lack, for the time being, a little harmony and roundness, they appear very "trendy", as though they had been designed for some markets in demand of wines that are fresh, yet typical, balanced, yet with moderate alcoholic degrees...
Terroir
La Crau, les Cardioles, Cabrières.
Type of soil
Sand and Round pebbles
Ageing
12 months in one vintage old barrels. Allier and Tronçais. Then 12 months in foudre.
Winemaking
50% non destemmed.
Varietals
Grenache noir : 85%
Syrah : 10%
Mourvèdre : 5%
Syrah : 10%
Mourvèdre : 5%
Specifications
Alcohol content : 14,5% % vol.
Bottling : Without fining and filtration.
Age of vines : Between 50 and 100 years. years old
Advice
Serving
14°C
Decant 2 hours before tasting.
Decant 2 hours before tasting.
Tasting
The fruit of this assemblage is remarkable : a very noble expression of the Terroir, detached from any fashion aspect. The exceptional Grenache which usually signs the «Cuvée Spéciale» illuminates this assemblage…
Reviews
"Mid crimson. Very rich and sweet on the nose. Much less savoury and introvert than the Gigondas. All glory and hedonism with a hint of roast game. Not quite as rich and persistent as I hoped on the palate. A little less energetic than the Gigondas. But no shortage of fine tannin on the end."
"Coming in at one-third the normal production due to the decimated Grenache yields, the 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah. In addition, since no Cuvee Speciale was made, this cuvee benefited from all the top grapes. Fabulously concentrated, with a textured, medium to full-bodied feel, it offers up impressive black raspberry, cassis, graphite and ground-pepper aromas and flavors. Possessing good acidity and building tannic grip, this beauty has the texture to drink reasonably well on release, yet should have 10-15 years of overall longevity as well."
"Réussite magistrale du complexe millésime 2013. "
"Richly layered, with dark plum, boysenberry and blackberry confiture flavors, all inlaid with smoldering charcoal and dark tea notes. Offers a velvety feel through the finish, bolstered by well-embedded acidity."
