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 later physiologically this year to let flavor develop more fully on the vine. In the winery we fermented this fruit in two parts; a larger destemmed portion (65%) fermented in open stainless pots and a whole bunch portion fermented carbonically in closed tank. More extractive handling on the destemmed fruit, with daily pump overs to build tannic structure and colour, with the fruit pressed after 3 weeks to tank and then aged in seasoned puncheons for 9 months. The whole bunch ferment was pressed after 11 days to tank and moved to barrel after primary ferment for a further 9 months on fine lees. Barrel selection assembled this wine in December with bottling under Diam cork in February 2022 with a small sulphur addition .

IN THE GLASS….we see cherry, stewed quince and plum on the nose, with cinnamon, star anise and subtle thyme. The palate is dry and medium bodied with ripe fruit of fresh plum and cherry, stewed stone fruit of quince and pear and heaps of spices. There is a savoury herbaceous element reminiscent of amaro. Grippy rasp like tannins. This is a smart wine that will be very pleasing for everyone.

xxxooo