COMPLICITY BETWEEN BROTHER AND SISTER WINEGROWERS: A SINGLE AND MODERN CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE SIGNATURE!

Transcription

1 COMPLICITY BETWEEN BROTHER AND SISTER WINEGROWERS: A SINGLE AND MODERN CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE SIGNATURE!

2 CHÂTEAUNEUF DU PAPE In the 14th century, the Poes chose Châteauneuf as the location for their summer residence. They decided to plant vines on the stony land which surrounded teir estate. For a long time, the wine production remained a secret but it started to become well known in the 18th century. In 1929, it officially recognized and bestowed its own appellation. This appellation ensures that the wine production in Châteauneuf-du-pape is subject to strict controls to produce an extremely fine wine. A unique fact in Frace, the wines of Châteauneuf-du -pape can come from thirteen vine-plants. From this originality, the art and know-how of each winemaker have creates a veritable symphony, subtle and delicate, know today around the world. 2

3 OUR HISTORY SINCE 14TH CENTURY. The domaine or wine estate saw the light of day thanks to Pierre and Mireille s zeal and two families coming together. Pierre Giraud is the son of a long line of winegrowers going back more than six centuries. Descendant of the Armenier family, he s always tended his vineyard with loving care. The Buou family owned the village distillery for generations; Mireille has always worked alongside her husband helping to expand the vineyard. Now she looks after the day-to-day running of the Domaine. 20TH CENTURY, UNE PASSION QUI SE TRANSMET when Pierre and Mireille took on 4ha (10 acres) of vines as tenant farmers. For 12 years, the domaine would grow little by little through purchasing pieces of rented land , Pierre and Mireille turned the family distillery into a winemaking and barrel-ageing cellar , the running of the Armenier family s vineyard was handed down to their children. Pierre and Mireille took care of 8ha (20 acres) of 100 year old vines found on the Crau plateau, Les Terres Blanches ( White Earth ), the Gallimardes and the sandy soils around Pignan in the Rayas area. 21TH CENTURY, THE NEW GENERATION In 1998, Pierre was ready to pass on his love of the vine and wine to his children. François and Marie took on the estate hand-in-hand. Under their parents watchful eye, they devoted themselves to tending vines and winemaking. They focused their efforts on selecting parcel by parcel, doing minimal treatments, upgrading their cellar to make finer and finer wines while respecting family traditions. 3

4 OUR TERROIR CARACTÉRISTICS Altitude : 128 m above ground lever. Area : 3200 hectarescultivated by 320 producers. Production : Above hectoliters per year. Yield limited to 35 hectoliters per hactare. Picked by hand and sorted selctively when harvested bottles sold each year. SOL Covered with large ochre pebbles from the Rhône alluvian deposits. These pebbles store up the heat in the day time and release it at night. North and Nothwest : highest concentration of pebbles which can even reach a width of two meters. Northeast : sandy and clayey soil. South : gravely soil. Layers of red clay, spread on terraces. TOPOGRAPHIE Undulating landscape, interrupted with large plateaus. MICROCLIMAT Extremely favorable climatic conditions with the Mistral wind, exceptional sunshine and low rain. 4

5 OUR DOMAINE : 19 Hectares THE GALLIMARDES AREA AREA : 10Ha of which are located in the same spot to the south of the appellation. TERROIR : Large rounded pebbles. RED VARIETIES : Grenache centenaires, Mourvèdre et jeunes Syrah. WHITE VARIETIES : Clairette, Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc et Roussanne plantés à proximité. 5

6 OUR DOMAINE : 19 Hectares APPELLATION S NORTHERN DISTRICTS LA CRAU PLATEAU DE PIGNAN LES TERRES BLANCHES TERROIR : Sandy soils. VARIETIES : Grenache centenaires. LES TRESQUOYS : TERROIR : clay soils mixed with this rich earth so typical of the appellation. VARIETIES : Syrah. LES CABRIÈRES : TERROIR : clay soils mixed with this rich earth so typical of the appellation. VARIETIES : Grenaches d une quarantaine d années. François tries hard to tend each parcel and variety respecting the terroir as much as possible, that alchemy nature provides us with, to fully express our grapes full character. 6

7 OUR CELLAR Transformed in 1981 by Pierre and Mireille, it used to be a distillery for nearly four generations. Since arriving at the estate, we ve worked hard at what we do in the cellar making our different wines. VINIFICATION Using a hand-crafted approach to take good care of the grapes, we like to age our wines slowly, step by step to give them time to fully develop their character. We favour ageing in cement vats, Bordeaux barriques (225 litre barrels) or demimuids ( litre casks) according to grape variety and the style of each blend. Just as we do in the vineyard, we continue to make wines in the natural way. 7

8 OUR WINES All our grapes are hand-picked. A rigorous selection takes place before they get to the cellar. OUR WHITE WINES : Historically, classy white wines were first created here characterised by perfectly ripe grapes. You ll still find them very elegant and well balanced. We pick our white grapes before sunrise when you can still feel those cool nights. OUR RED WINES : Obviously we continue to produce mostly red wine. Predominantly from Grenache, it also lets the Syrah and Mourvèdre speak for themselves. Our different wines all show harmony and balance, where the tannins nicely melt in the mouth. Of course, as for any real wine, each vintage has its own characteristics that we encourage you to discover. To help retain lively aroma and flavour, our wines aren t filtered or fined. 8

9 TRADITION Rich and powerfull We re very attached to Tradition, our inheritance passed on from our parents and their parents before them for generations. This wine symbolises our affection for Châteauneuf-du-Pape, our family and our obsession. BLEND : Grenache (60%), Syrah (35%) et Mourvèdre (5%) SOILS : Sand and rounded pebbles on the surface, clay underneath. WINEMAKING : 100% de-stemmed depending on the vintage. We use gentle extraction techniques. FERMENTATION : lasting about three weeks to one month preceded by a cold maceration. The must is then heated to around 28 c. MATURATION : The Grenache and Mourvèdre are aged for 18 months in enamel-lined cement vats and stainless steel. Ageing in used Bordeaux barriques is reserved for the Syrah to promote micro-oxygenation and give structure. 9

10 TRADITION Riche et intense TASTING NOTE & KEEPING Attractive red cherry colour with light purple tints, displays nice kirsch and squashed plum aromas. Rounded chunky mouth-feel, weighty with strawberry jam, raspberry and cooked cherry fruit, lovely ripeness. It can be enjoyed young from 2 to 3 years, with 15 to 20 years ageing potential. 10

11 LES GALLIMARDES modern, vibrant and concentrated style The Gallimardes has existed on our domaine since the beginning. This area found to the south of the appellation has always been part of our family. Here we grow 100 year old Grenache, Syrah and several white varieties. Classic Châteauneuf-du-Pape terrain, it s made up of big round pebbles on the surface that radiate gentle heat in the evening helping to concentrate the grapes. The label was designed by our cousin Rudy Ricciotti, world-famous architect known for a variety of projects. In addition to his unwavering enthusiasm for big spaces, Rudy declares his special fondness for Chateauneuf-du-Pape; he s always been careful to create visual contours for our wines in line with the unique character each one conveys. 11

12 LES GALLIMARDES modern, vibrant and concentrated style Les Gallimardes blanc BLEND : Grenache blanc (25%), Clairette (25%), Bourboulenc (25%) et Roussanne (25%). SOILS : Rounded pebbles on the surface, clay underneath. WINEMAKING : We decide on the picking date by tasting the berries. We harvest the grapes before sunrise to make the most of cool night-time temperatures. MATURATION : We do gentle pressing and cold-settling, then half the must goes into demimuid casks to start fermenting (18-22 c). The rest is put into and vinified in stainless tanks. Our whites are stored for about 6 months. 12

13 LES GALLIMARDES modern, vibrant and concentrated style Les Gallimardes blanc TASTING NOTE & KEEPING Clear eggshell colour with lilac edges. Appealing, delicate floral aromas with elderflower and may blossom tones. Nicely smooth and rounded mouthfeel with honey, acacia and lavender flavours. Lovely full liquorice finish. Best enjoyed young yet will improve for up to 15 years. 13

14 LES GALLIMARDES modern, vibrant and concentrated style Les Gallimardes rouge BLEND : 100 year old Grenache (90%), Syrah (10%). SOILS : Rounded pebbles on the surface, clay underneath. WINEMAKING : We pick the berries in two goes to allow perfect grape ripeness. We do the first rigorous selection by vine and again in the winery to make sure we get the best quality grapes. 100% de-stemming depending on the vintage. We use gentle extraction techniques, fermentation lasting about three weeks to one month with a cold maceration at the start. The must is then heated to around 28 c. MATURATION : The Grenache is aged for 18 months in enamel-lined cement vats and stainless steel. Ageing in used Bordeaux barriques is reserved for the Syrah to promote micro-oxygenation and give structure. 14

15 LES GALLIMARDES modern, vibrant and concentrated style Les Gallimardes rouge TASTING NOTE & KEEPING Attractive, intense blood-red colour. Shows an elegant nose with strawberry, blueberry and raspberry fruit. Powerful on the palate, it s fullbodied yet smooth with flavours of apple & cherry compote, raspberry tinged with liquorice, white pepper and wild herbs. It can be enjoyed young from 3 to 4 years, with years ageing potential. 15

16 LES GRENACHES DE PIERRE Elegance and delicacy Sourced from the pure sandy soils in the Crau area and vineyards around Pignan. Our father Pierre was always loyal to his parcels of 100 year old Grenache. This cuvée pays homage to his devotion to Chateauneuf-du-Pape s flagship variety.. BLEND : 100 year old Grenache (100%). SOILS : Pure sand.. WINEMAKING : We pick the berries in several batches to allow perfect grape ripeness. We do the first rigorous selection by vine and again in the winery to make sure we get the best quality grapes. 100% de-stemming depending on the vintage. We use gentle extraction techniques, fermentation lasting about three weeks to one month with a cold maceration at the start. The must is then heated to around 28 c. MATURATION : Approx. 18 months ageing is carried out in cement vats. 16

17 LES GRENACHES DE PIERRE Elegance and delicacy DÉGUSTATION & CONSERVATION Lovely blood-red colour with crimson edges. Its powerful nose is reminiscent of basalt, tobacco leaf with cooked fruit notes and juicy prunes. Powerful structured palate, rich and rounded with flavours of fresh strawberry compote, raspberries, cherries tinged with thyme, wild juniper and violet rockrose. It can be enjoyed young, but it ll take much longer for it to reveal its true character and will stay remarkably fresh for at least 20 years after bottling. 17