The archetypical picture that we have of Tavel is peculiarly knocked down this year : The mouth is more chiseled, tighter, less ample than usual… A real delight at the apéritif !
Presentation
The vintage
It took just a few days…few days to oscillate a vintage between a « Great Vintage » and a « Complex vintage ».
However, the winter, finally « classic », rocked by a fairly rigorous cold, pushed back any risk of spring frost.
The vegetative cycle was regularly watered by abundant rains. The diseases were putting pressure on the vinegrowers !
Nonetheless, the experience of the 2018, year with high mildew, still engraved in the vinegrowers’memory, made it possible for them to carefully control this pressure.
The vinegrowers serenly entered the summer season, with good water reserves and a beautiful harvest in perspective.
Moreover, rare fact, the summer granted us a few days of mild rain.
On August 15th, the rhodanien vineyards were healthy and green. The vinegrowers were rejoicing as everything was a hallmark to a “Great Vintage”.
Unfortunately, as is often the case over the last few years, Mother Nature decided otherwise. For a couple of days, the French vineyards, and most particularly the Rhône’s suffered a wave of extreme heat.
Leaving little chance to the grapes of the young vines and early ripening terroirs.
Only old vines, and not even all, of low yield, on protected terroirs and late ripening, found resilience in getting their berries to optimal ripeness.
The catastrophe was avoided. However, the qualities were very heterogeneous, even amongst the most experienced cellars….
Once again, our meticulous work of selection will have found all its meaning this year!
Paradoxally, the whites are very digest and balanced. On the palate, they are bright and harmonious.
The quality of the reds however, are more varied from one grape variety to the next. Against all expectations, the Syrah played its card right, with fruits without any excess. The wine issued from Old vines Grenache are racy and precise!
However, the winter, finally « classic », rocked by a fairly rigorous cold, pushed back any risk of spring frost.
The vegetative cycle was regularly watered by abundant rains. The diseases were putting pressure on the vinegrowers !
Nonetheless, the experience of the 2018, year with high mildew, still engraved in the vinegrowers’memory, made it possible for them to carefully control this pressure.
The vinegrowers serenly entered the summer season, with good water reserves and a beautiful harvest in perspective.
Moreover, rare fact, the summer granted us a few days of mild rain.
On August 15th, the rhodanien vineyards were healthy and green. The vinegrowers were rejoicing as everything was a hallmark to a “Great Vintage”.
Unfortunately, as is often the case over the last few years, Mother Nature decided otherwise. For a couple of days, the French vineyards, and most particularly the Rhône’s suffered a wave of extreme heat.
Leaving little chance to the grapes of the young vines and early ripening terroirs.
Only old vines, and not even all, of low yield, on protected terroirs and late ripening, found resilience in getting their berries to optimal ripeness.
The catastrophe was avoided. However, the qualities were very heterogeneous, even amongst the most experienced cellars….
Once again, our meticulous work of selection will have found all its meaning this year!
Paradoxally, the whites are very digest and balanced. On the palate, they are bright and harmonious.
The quality of the reds however, are more varied from one grape variety to the next. Against all expectations, the Syrah played its card right, with fruits without any excess. The wine issued from Old vines Grenache are racy and precise!
Type of soil
Round pebbles and sand.
Ageing
6 months in concret tanks.
Winemaking
Organic Farming.
Varietals
Grenache : 60%
Cinsault : 25%
Syrah : 15%
Cinsault : 25%
Syrah : 15%
Specifications
Alcohol content : 14% % vol.
Bottling : Without fining and light filtration.
Age of vines : From 40 to 50 years. years old
Advice
Serving
10°C
Tasting
The mouth is more chiseled, tighter, less ample than usual… A real delight at the apéritif !
Reviews
"The relatively dark ruby, full-bodied 2020 Tavel Vieilles Vignes is a big, rich wine, even by Tavel standards. The fruit goes beyond red into purple raspberries and even cassis in this mouth-filling effort. Despite that, it keeps a sense of freshness and vitality, driven by its silky texture and surprisingly long, vibrant finish. It's still more of a burger or steak rosé than a simple summer sipper, but that's OK in my book."
"The 2022 Tavel Vieilles Vignes (60% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, and 10% Syrah) has a classic Tavel deeper ruby hue as well as powerful aromatics of framboise, candied strawberries, white pepper, and hints of Provençal garrigue. Beautiful on the palate as well, it has plenty of richness, medium body, and a clean, dry finish. A terrific Tavel, it brings plenty of richness while staying light on its feet and balanced."
