Héloïse, Vin de Pays du Vaucluse – 2012
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Introduction
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Héloïse and Abélard (our other flagship red wine) are one of history’s most celebrated couples, known for their intellectual brilliance, passionate love affair, eloquent letters and the tragedy that cruelly separated them. Sometimes referred to as “the Romeo and Juliet of France,” they were actually far more complex and accomplished individuals, and their love spanned many decades during the Middle Ages until the end of their lives, making it a symbol of enduring romantic love. The perfumed, intense but restrained character of this Syrah blend reminded us of Héloïse, whose intellect was matched by passion which, though bridled, never died.
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Vineyard Profile
- Viticulture: Organic and biodynamic practices
- Vine Age: Grenache - over 40 years old; Syrah - 30 years old
- Soil: Clay and limestone, very stony
- Elevation: Grenache - 530 meters (1,738 feet); Syrah - 540 meters (1,771 feet)
- Exposure: Grenache - northwest facing; Syrah - southwest facing
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Vinification
- Fermentation: In wooden tanks, with skin maceration for 5 weeks; 100% malolactic
- Barrel Aging: 18 months in mix of old and new French oak from various coopers, primarily 228-liter (60-gallon) barrels with medium and medium-plus toast; plus 12 months in concrete tanks
- Filtration: Unfiltered
- Fining: Unfined
- Bottle Aging: 2 years
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 65% Syrah, 31% Grenache Noir, 4% Roussanne
- Alcohol: 14%
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Tasting Notes
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Appearance: A deep, brilliant crimson color.
Nose: Complex with aromas of truffle, dark fruits and blackberries with fragrant hints of violet.
Palate: Complex yet balanced, both fresh and intense, voluptuous.Finish: Very long on the palate, with lingering notes of dark fruits and truffle.
- Serving Suggestions: A generous and intense wine with strong aging potential, ideally suited to lamb, red meat and roasted vegetables. Decant for 2-3 hours and serve at room temperature.
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Images
Reviews
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Chêne Bleu Héloïse, Vin de Pays du Vaucluse – 2012 – Wine Spectator – 92 Points
This offers up a deep well of warm, crushed plum, açai and blackberry fruit flavors that glide over hints of loam, sage and menthol, all backed by a lingering licorice root note on the fleshy finish. Distinctive. Syrah, Grenache, and Roussanne. Drink now through 2025.
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Chêne Bleu Héloïse, Vin de Pays du Vaucluse — 2012 – The Wine Advocate – 93 Points
A blend of 65% Syrah, 31% Grenache and 4% Roussanne, the 2012 IGP Vaucluse Heloise spent 18 months in oak prior to blending and bottling. Hints of sweaty leather and scorched meat combine with black olives and raspberries on the nose, while the palate is medium to full-bodied, supple and concentrated, with a long finish. Overall, it does a lovely job marrying fruity and savory elements and bringing them together in a silk-wrapped package.
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Chêne Bleu Héloïse, Vin de Pays du Vaucluse – 2012 – Jancis Robinson – 18 Points
Very deep garnet with ruby rim. Enticing and complex aroma that is dark fruited, part herbal-edged cassis part blackberry, with a little bite that is tangy red fruit – still so much fruit – and a touch savoury/smoky and something like crushed rocks even with all this fruit. Still has a light sweetness of oak, now so well integrated that it is one with the peppery black fruit that is so Syrah. There’s also a northern Rhône scented (peony?) purity to the aroma, even though we are in the southern Rhône, thanks to the elevation of the vineyard, I imagine...