A “handkerchief Wine” - Vin de mouchoir -, e.g. so delicate and scented that you feel like pouring drops on a - preferably lace - handkerchief, just to enjoy its fragrances during the day… What a Cuvée ! Old Grenache with touches of beautiful Pinot noir. Constructed more on the aromatic intensity than on the density. An actual delight !
Presentation
The vintage
Strange and paradoxical… This vintage has reserved us quite a few surprises, and
still raises questions. Although described as « Great » by some Vignerons, its strong
heterogeneity, depending on the sectors, imposes us to be attentive, measured, though hopeful.
2018 : the vegetative cycle is early. Spring sees generous rains and heat strokes
alternate. According to “Elders”, from memory one has to get back to the 60’ to observe such pressure of diseases in the vineyard. And, unfortunately for some Domaines, the processing windows would, in the main, only open at the week-ends… The vintage therefore promises to be technically complicated, demanding meticulous, tedious, even relentless work, in the vineyards. Damage and losses vary… but yields on Grenache are historically low… Providentially, once again, we could count on Mother Nature’s final “nudge” ! Without hesitation we can assert that the quality of the remaining grapes, the quality of their juice, is mainly due to a brilliant month of September.
Indeed, the weather conditions during the harvest were almost perfect. Cool but sunny weather, with well-marked, valued, thermal amplitudes… The Vigneron was able to choose in all serenity the ideal moment to harvest, plot of land by plot of land, without having to operate any constrained arbitration…
still raises questions. Although described as « Great » by some Vignerons, its strong
heterogeneity, depending on the sectors, imposes us to be attentive, measured, though hopeful.
2018 : the vegetative cycle is early. Spring sees generous rains and heat strokes
alternate. According to “Elders”, from memory one has to get back to the 60’ to observe such pressure of diseases in the vineyard. And, unfortunately for some Domaines, the processing windows would, in the main, only open at the week-ends… The vintage therefore promises to be technically complicated, demanding meticulous, tedious, even relentless work, in the vineyards. Damage and losses vary… but yields on Grenache are historically low… Providentially, once again, we could count on Mother Nature’s final “nudge” ! Without hesitation we can assert that the quality of the remaining grapes, the quality of their juice, is mainly due to a brilliant month of September.
Indeed, the weather conditions during the harvest were almost perfect. Cool but sunny weather, with well-marked, valued, thermal amplitudes… The Vigneron was able to choose in all serenity the ideal moment to harvest, plot of land by plot of land, without having to operate any constrained arbitration…
Terroir
On the Borders of the AOC Châteauneuf, side of Courthézon
Ageing
8 months in 2 years and 3 years old barrels. Then ten months in foudres. Allier and Tronçais.
Vinification
100% non destemmed.
Varietals
Grenache : 95%
Others : 5%
Others : 5%
Specifications
Alcohol content : 14,5% % vol.
Bottling : Without fining and filtration.
Age of vines : 70 years old. years old
Advice
Serving
14°C
Tasting
Wonderful expression of old Grenache when gorgeously matured. On notes of grena-dine and sweet spices... I love it !
Reviews
"Let's see the whole-bunch effect. Garnet rather than crimson and not that intense in terms of colour. Wild-berry sort of fruit — quite different again from the other two 2018 Côtes du Rhône reds in this collection. Very sweet with a little white pepper note at the end. Pure pleasure but not quite as much refreshment as the Guy Louis.
"
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"From 70-year-old vines (95% Grenache) just outside Châteauneuf du Pape, the undestemmed 2018 Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Speciale spent time in used barrels and foudres. It's a more lacy style of Côtes du Rhône than the Guy Louis bottling, with herbal nuances woven into silky tannins, graceful sweeps of cherries and pomegranate and a touch of licorice on the refreshing finish."
