Grenache
150cl * Organic & Biodynamic * 15.5% ABV * Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône Valley, France
Maison Chapoutier dates back to 1808 when Michel Chapoutier’s distant ancestor Polydor Chapoutier bought a parcel of vines in the Rhone Valley. Since 1991, biodynamics has been at the heart of Chapoutier’s philosophy and they now own the largest biodynamic vineyard in Europe.
This 100% Grenache comes from Chapoutier’s Fac & Spera Sélection Parcellaire range of wines. Translating as “Do & Hope”, the range of specially selected parcels of single vineyard wines was designed to offer a precise representation of a specific grape, in a certain year, in its given terroir. Here biodynamics comes fully into play. The grapes are sourced from a plot near town of Bedarrides where the soil, typical of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, is composed of big quartzite shingles and sandy red clay. Planted on slightly higher altitude than Barbe Rac, wine from this plot is known for its great structure and intensity.
The grapes are hand picked at peak maturity and sorted in the vineyard before being vinified in concrete tanks to preserve freshness. Only the free-run juice is used to make this wine, which is matured in tanks between 14 to 16-months. Intense red in colour, the nose is all black fruits and blackberry jam. On the palate the wine is unctuous and ample with warm tannins.
If carefully cellared, the wine can be kept for 30 to 60+ years.
Wine Fact: The producer has admirably included Braille on all its labels since 1996 to make it easier for the blind to navigate the shelves of a wine shop.