Rosé, Languedoc — 2023
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Introduction
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WINERY Michel Laroche was one of the pioneers in the resurgence of quality winemaking in the south of France in the early 1980s. In 1996, he created Mas La Chevalière, a state-of-the-art winery on the grounds of a splendid 18th-century guesthouse, with the goal of producing wines that truly reflect the diversity of the Southern French varietals, climate and terroir. Mas la Chevalière is considered a reference point in the region for the quality of its winery equipment, which allows for the precise expression of each grape variety and vineyard parcel.
WINE A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, the grapes are sourced from the Languedoc region, from Cévennes and Béziers, totaling 15 hectares (37 acres) of 25 year old vines. The grapes are gently whole-bunch pressed in a pneumatic press for four hours of skin contact.
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Label
- The Label: “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 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; Mas la Chevalière has developed long-standing partnerships with growers and works with them all year long.
- Appellation: Pays d’Oc, IGP
- Location: Languedoc
- Cultivation: Sustainable
- Soil: Clay and Limestone
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Vintage Report
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2023 was a year of drought affecting Hérault, Audois coast, and Pyrénées Orientales, while the Mas partnership areas remained unaffected. Harvesting began on August 16th, starting with the first Chardonnays. Despite the heat in mid-August, our team’s quick response and cold-pressing process, along with cool nighttime temperatures, preserved the grape’s acidity. Our high-altitude terroirs proved advantageous, particularly for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The 2023 vintage showed consistently high-quality, balanced whites, and concentrated reds that respected the grape variety’s expression.
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Vinification
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Supervised Grapes are harvested at night and kept at cool temperatures to preserve aromas. Gentle whole bunch pressing in a pneumatic press followed by cold settling at a cool temperature. 10 – 12 days of fermentation at 12°C – 17°C in stainless steel tanks.
- Aging: 100% Stainless steel for 6 months
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault
- Alcohol: 12.5%
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Tasting Notes
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A brilliant pale pink color. Most of the Grenache contributes aromas of wild red fruit and grapefruit. The Syrah adds vivacity and structure to the wine, as well as a lovely spicy undertone. The Cinsault completes the aromatic palate with floral notes, adding a lovely complexity to this wine. Refreshing on the palate, with a lively, acidic finish.
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