From: Pierrevert, Provence, France
Blend: 90% Syrah, 10% Grenache Noir
Taste: Cool, dark, and elegant, Syrah takes the lead in this blend. The alpine and Mediterranean climates and clay-limestone soils produce an extremely drinkable red with notes of dark fruit (bing cherry, blackberry), orange, and delicate purple flowers that meet just the right amount of sauvage on the nose. This wine is juicy, fresh, and fruit-forward on the palate, lighter than expected from the nose, with lingering earthiness and notes of olive and pepper on the finish.
Pairing: Go for Provençal or Mediterranean classics with this lovely red. Ratatouille, olive tapenade, grilled meats or hearty vegetables, sausage and potatoes, grilled eggplant, peppers, and olives, roasted or grilled chicken with za’atar, socca, and fresh tomato sauce with a generous dollop of homemade pasta tossed in olive butter.
About, in general. Coteaux de Pierrevert (now known as Pierrevert) is a little-known appellation of 450 ha created in 1998. The vineyards are located in the Alps of Haute Provence at between 420 and 550 meters of altitude, among the highest in France. The 62 ha of Domaine Blaque, recognized as the leading estate of the appellation and certified organic, are managed by two oenologists, Gilles Delsuc, who earned his degree in Dijon, and his wife, Laurence.
For Gilles, “La Blaque is an exceptional terroir. The micro-climate, the diversity of the soils, and the orientation of the vineyards are optimal. With almost 320 days of sun every year and a wide variation of temperature between the day and the night due to the altitude, the conditions are favorable for a well-balanced ripening of the grapes, which allows us to harvest in mid-September. The soils are clay-limestone, but with a lot of variation going from very chalky soils to heavier clay soils. The conditions are outstanding for Mediterranean viticulture.”
The vineyards are planted for the most part on southern exposed hillsides, and the yields are limited to 35-40 ha/hl. The wines profit from the Mediterranean climate for the sun and the alpine climate for cooler temperatures, which results in wines of aromatic complexity and concentration, reminiscent of certain great wines of the Rhone Valley.
About the wine. The planted red varietals are Syrah 60 %, Grenache 28%, Carignan 8%, and Mourvèdre 4% (the final blend in the bottle varies by vintage). The grapes are harvested by hand and destemmed to avoid rough tannins. The cuvaison lasts 15-20 days with pumping over or delestage to gain color and aroma. Intense ruby color, aromas of cherries and blackberries. Soft tannins with fruits and spice in the mouth.
