Cabernet Sauvignon, Languedoc – 2022
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Introduction
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“La Chevalière,” or “the knight’s lady,” is a reference to “Mas La Chevalière,” literally the “farmhouse of the knight’s lady,” the Laroche winery in southern France that was created by Michel Laroche. Surrounded by a wall, just like the “clos” enclosures in Burgundy, Mas La Chevalière is a place of history and character where the “Jardins à la française” offers a Mediterranean accent
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Vineyard Profile
- Vineyards: The Orb Valley, in which Mas la Chevalière is located, has various landscapes coming one after another, and they have been all shaped and cultivated for centuries. Vine has been paramount since Antiquity and the well-designed plots.
- Appellation: Pays d’Oc IGP (Indication Geographique Protegée)
- Viticulture: “Lutte raisonnée,” or “reasoned protection,” (using chemical intervention only when required); primarily cordon pruning with fruit thinning and high trellising in the vineyards
- Size: Purchased grapes, vineyard size varies based on source
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Vintage Report
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The 2022 vintage was very early with high temperatures, however slightly moderated by the proximity to the sea. No water stress thanks to the Spring rainfalls, with the xception of the young vines which were harvested earlier: on August 12th. The acidity levels decreasing as early as the first days of August, as well as the tasting of the berries with phenolic ripeness, confirmed a great aromatic potential and were all triggers to an early harvest.
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Vinification
- Fermentation: Whole bunches pressed in pneumatic press under protective conditions, then settling at 12° to 15°C (53° to 59°F) for 24 hours; 12 days of fermentation
- Malolactic: 100%
- Aging: 6 months in stainless steel, no barrel aging
- Filtration: Minimum filtration to preserve maximum natural character, then bottled under low pressure on a bottling line designed to protect quality
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Technical Information
- Alcohol: 13.5%
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Tasting Notes
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Appearance: Dark ruby color
Aroma: Intense nose offering pungent black currant and subtle herbal tones
Taste: Intense fruit concentration laced with developed tannic structure; good intensity and nice, juicy mouthfeel
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