Domaine Le Roc des Anges - Australe 2021
Price: $39.96
Producer | Domaine Le Roc des Anges |
Country | France |
Varietal | Other Red Grapes |
Vintage | 2021 |
Sku | 601586 |
Size | 750ml |
In 2001, a bold decision was made by Marjorie and Stéphane Gallet to plant Serine, an ancient variant of Syrah, in a single vineyard nestled amidst schist soils with some clay in the terroir. This marked the beginning of a remarkable winemaking endeavor that now spans over two decades.
The vineyard, cultivated organically and biodynamically, would ultimately yield a unique and exceptional wine but it would take more than a decade. For years, the grapes struggled to ripen, often succumbing to desiccation before reaching their full potential. Frustration grew, and in 2013, the vineyard faced the “threat” of being uprooted but in 2014, something miraculous happened; the vineyard seemed to awaken. After more than a decade of struggle, it finally yielded grapes that ripened beautifully. This sudden transformation left Marjorie and Stéphane astounded, as the vines had apparently, over time, acclimated to the southern exposure and the ever-present winds. The key to this transformation they thought? Biodynamics.
The winemaking process for this unique Serine Syrah was equally thoughtful. Most of the grapes were destemmed, and ambient yeast fermentation with pieds de cuve took place in closed concrete tanks for a duration of seven days. No temperature control, punching down, or pump overs were employed, allowing the grapes to evolve naturally. The wine was then pressed and racked back to the tank to complete fermentation. After aging in tank, the wine was bottled with minimal intervention. No fining was applied, and only light filtration was used to maintain its natural character. At the point of bottling, the wine's total sulfur content ranged between 30 to 50ppm, reflecting a commitment to preserving the purity and essence of the Serine Syrah. I remember tasting this wine and thinking this was a top St. Joseph. So much dark fruit flavors and classic black peppercorn aromatics.
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