Pinot Noir, IGP Pays d’Oc – 2014
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Introduction
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“La Chevalière,” or “the knight’s lady,” is a reference to “Mas La Chevalière” which is literally the “farmhouse of the knight’s lady,” the Laroche winery in southern France where this wine is produced.
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Vineyard Profile
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The Pinot Noir grapes come from our vineyard partners in two distinct regions of the Languedoc: the Cévennes foothills in the Northern Gard region (The Cévennes is a maze of deep valleys with winding rivers of clear waters, steep slopes covered in forests and jagged rock cliffs and ledges. More than a mountain chain, the Cévennes are in fact a multitude of many-sided open spaces which form the southern part of the Central Massif as it veers towards the Languedoc.); and from Limoux, in the hills south of Carcassonne in the western Languedoc, where the influence of a maritime climate provides cooler, fresher conditions. The soils are varied, with clay and limestone predominant.
- Cultivation: “Lutte raisonnée,” or “reasoned protection,” (using chemical intervention only when required); cordon pruning, fruit thinning and high trellising in the vineyards
- Size: 30 hectares (74.13 acres)
- Vine Age: 20 years
- Soil: Varied, with clay and limestone predominant.
- Density: 4,500 vines/hectare (1,820 vines/acre)
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Vintage Report
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A warm and dry winter was followed by clear skies and fresh breezes during the summer months. The grape varieties benefited from a dry summer without any heat waves. These climatic conditions, combined with carefully chosen harvest dates, resulted in a beautiful harvest of perfectly ripened grapes. The 2014 vintage in the Languedoc produced fresh and elegant wines, well balanced, with outstanding complexity.
- Harvest Date(s): Early September
- Yields: 45 hl/ha
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Vinification
- Fermentation: 12 days at 26°-28°C (78°-82°F) in stainless-steel tanks with daily pump overs to increase skin contact and aerate the wine
- Malolactic: 100%
- Aging: 6 months in stainless steel, no barrel aging
- Filtration: Minimum filtration to preserve maximum natural character of the wine
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
- Cases Imported: 2,000 12/750ml
- Alcohol: 12.5%
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Tasting Notes
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Appearance: Bright ruby hue
Aroma: Ripe and pulpy cherry aromas
Taste: Juicy mouthfeel combined with supple, velvety tannins
Aging Potential: 2-5 years
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