by Andrew Chalk
NOTES FROM THE WINERY
I don’t know whether Jeanne would have liked this wine but what’s certain is that she would have loved its name, and what it means for us: this wine is our uncompromising interpretation of a Cabardès, that is to say a fresh but tender wine, a correct but comfortable wine. Built around Cabernet Franc and oceanic Syrah, the Réserve de Jeanne veers away from the typicalities of the region.
TECHNICAL SPECS.
Vintage : 2020
Appellation : AOP CABARDES
Grapes : 60% cabernet franc, 40% syrah
Soil : White limestone soil
Plots : « Calbet le Haut », « La Grande Garenne », Le four à chaux», « Les Plos ».
Yield : 50 hl/ha. Vine density : 6500 vines/ha. Guyot single cane – 7 buds.
Wine making : Harvest : sorting, fully crushed. Prefermentary cold maceration for 5 days at 6°. Fermentation at 28° in 300 hl stainless steel tanks. No sulphite vinification and indigenous yeast. Daily pump-overs. Vatting length : 30 days. Malolactic fermentation.
Maturation :30% of the blend : 12 months in 225 l oak barrels / 70% of the blend : cement vats with micro oxygenation.
TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Ruby red.
Nose: Pronounced intensity. The ripe fruit is vibrant and forceful incorporating aromas of blackberry, tomato leaf, dried thyme.
Palate: Dry with medium acidity, medium minus tannins are smooth. Medium alcohol. Full bodied with pronounced flavor intensity. Flavors of raspberry, blackberry, forest floor hints of pencil lead, licorice, and green tea. Medium earthy finish.
This is a good quality wine that is ready for immediate consumption. Astonishing value.
Sample.