Chêne Bleu

Rhône, France

Le Rosé, IGP Vaucluse — 2020

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  • Vineyard Profile

    • Viticulture: Organic and biodynamic practices
    • Vine Age: Grenache Noir, between 20 and 70 years old, North-West facing at 530m (1,738 feet). Syrah, between 20 and 50 years old, South-West facing at 540m (1,771 feet). Other varieties are, at minimum, 10 years old.
    • Soil: Argilo-limoneux — Clay and limestone, very stony
    • Elevation: South-West facing
    • Exposure: 530 meters (1,738 feet)
    • Training: Single cordon de Royat, 5 shoots per cordon Double cordon de Royat, 6 shoots per cordon
  • Vintage Report

    • An extremely dry season allowed benefit from low disease pressure and kept total copper sulfate spray rate well under the permitted levels for Organic and Biodynamic viticulture. A terrible storm in early June did some damage to the Rolle and Syrah, at the highest and most exposed part of the vineyard (over 1800ft above sea level), but thankfully, it spared the rest of the parcelles. The reduced precious quantities are superlative in their quality, and worth their weight in gold. We had a quick but intense harvest of two weeks – starting a little earlier than usual, on September 17 – with ominous rainstorms on the horizon. Nevertheless, we chose to wait to pick until optimum maturity/ balance, and were rewarded with a small shower a week prior to harvest which left the Grenache parcelles destined for Rosé in particularly good standing following their long period of drought. 2020 is a promising, vinous vintage, of rich concentration and depth.

  • Vinification

    • Fermentation: Direct press, skin contact at time of pressing for 1.5 hours; very cold fermentation for 5 weeks, 75% in stainless-steel tanks, 25% in French oak barrels
    • Barrel Aging: 25% of the wine was aged for 3 months in French oak barrels; mix of new and one-year-old with light toast
  • Technical Information

    • Aging potential: 3 years

    • Varietal Composition: 79% Grenache Noir, 8% Syrah, 8% Mourvedre, 4% Cinsault, 1% Rolle
    • Alcohol: 14.0%
  • Tasting Notes

    • Appearance: Pale pink, clear with bright tints

      Nose: 
      Rich and aromatic. Hints of small red fruits with grapefruit, orange zest and floral aromas

      Palate:
      Balanced and fresh, both rich and elegant with a pleasant fruitiness

      Finish:
      Long citrus notes

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Reviews

  • Chêne Bleu Le Rosé — 2020 – Jancis Robinson – 17.5 Points

    Stunning complexity, length and intention. Fresh cedary spice weaves through fleshy peach fruit; granite dust through wild cherries; lavender through nectarines. It’s full yet fine, unfurling into every corner of the palate, saturated with stony minerality and sweet bitters. On the finish, a very subtle salty alpine-strawberry sherbet buzz. Up there as one of the beautiful rosés I’ve tasted.

  • Chêne Bleu Le Rosé — 2020 – Vinous – 93 Points

    Pale orange-pink. Mineral-tinged red berry, honeydew and pit fruit aromas show excellent clarity, and a suave floral note emerges as the wine opens. Palate-staining peach nectar, raspberry and melon flavors are braced by a spine of juicy acidity. The mineral quality resonates on an impressively persistent finish that features a lingering floral quality and a hint of tarragon.

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