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WINES
 

All year round, a score of winegrowers tend our estate vineyards (91 hectares / 230 acres), and especially the narrow stony slopes of l'Hermitage, whose steepness means that half the work has to be carried out by hand. Here, it is not possible to tend more than 2.5 hectares (6.25 acres) per person, whereas in certain more accessible vineyards on the plain, 8 hectares (20 acres) is possible.

Hermitage red "La Chapelle"

This, the most famous wine we produce , is named after the small chapel at the summit of the hill. It was built in 1235 by a knight, Chevalier Gaspard de Stérimberg. He had been wounded in 1224 during the Albigeois' crusade, and sought permission from Queen Blanche de Castille to establish a hermitage on this slope which, in turn, provided a memory of this valiant knight, it now totals 130 hectares (325 acres). Our "La Chapelle" vineyards cover 21 hectares (52.5 acres), in different sites.

The Hermitage Chapel itself was purchased by Paul Jaboulet Aîné in 1919.

Hermitage Red "La Chapelle" is widely considered to be one of the finest red wines in the world.

It is made exclusively from grapes of the Syrah variety, from vines with an average age of 40 years. Facing due south, on an east-west axis, the exposure of the slope is exceptional, as not one ray of sunshine can escape it, and cold winds are deviated. Its soil consists of granite arenas covered with micaschist and gneiss, but also with deposits of round, alluvial pebbles in places. This diversity explains the existence of individual lieux-dits within the appellation (Bessards, Méal, Greffieux, Rocoules, etc…). Our vineyards on each of these microclimates produce a palette of wines with distinct complexity, finesse and structure. These are assembled to produce the inimitable Hermitage "La Chapelle", that is, about 80,000 bottles (6,500 cases) per year.

In its youth, its colour is very dark purple, like over-ripe cherries, with an aroma of blackcurrants and wild berries.

It is a full-bodied wine, extremely complex, with very fine tannins. As this rich wine matures, its bouquet becomes more reminiscent of leather, truffles, underbrush and humus.

The greatest vintages take at least 8 to 10 years to mature. These can be kept from 7 to 35 years, and even 50 years in exceptional vintages. It is advisable to decant it just before the meal. In association with game or full-flavoured cheeses, the sensation is simply unforgettable.

Hermitage White "Le Chevalier de Stérimberg"

We have named our white Hermitage in homage to this brave knight. Our estate consists of 5 hectares of vineyards, spread over different sites : Rocoules, Maison Blanche, La Croix.

Hermitage Blanc "Chevalier de Stérimberg" is grown on the summit and slopes of Hermitage, always in the more clayey, fluvial alluvial soils. 65% of the grapes are Marsanne, which gives structure, and 35% Roussanne, which gives freshness and finesse.

Carefully decanted after pressing, the juice is vinified at a controlled temperature in new oak barrels, to give a long fermentation lasting several weeks. Finally, it is aged and matured in oak barrels for 4 to 6 months.

It has a beautiful yellow-gold colour with attractive green hints. Very aromatic when young, with soft pear and apple aromas, with age it gains honeyed, caramel notes.

A harmonious and well balanced wine, with softness and depth offset by an agreeable touch of acidity, it has a remarkable long finish. Delightful with fish in sauce and white meat dishes when young, the older vintages go particularly well with strong flavoured cheeses. Its ageing potential is from 5 to 15 years.

Crozes Hermitage Red "Domaine de Thalabert".

This domain, covering 40 hectares (100 acres), is situated to the south of Tain l'Hermitage, on a stony plain of glacial origin.

This wine is made exclusively from Syrah grapes from vines that are on average 35 years old. Carefully matured in oak casks, it is a tannic, concentrated wine, dark garnet red in colour, with similar aromas to Hermitage : blackcurrant, red berries and truffles.

Crozes Hermitage "Domaine de Thalabert" in great vintages can be aged for more than 10 years. It is one of the best value-for-money wines on the French market today.

It is a perfect match for such varied dishes as grilled beef, stews, partridge or other small game birds, and even fish in red wine sauces.

Crozes Hermitage Red and White "Domaine Raymond Roure"

Our company acquired this 5 hectares (12.5 acres) estate in 1996. It is situated to the north of Tain l'Hermitage on very steep granite slopes that face south/south-east.

The red wine comes from 3 hectares (7.5 acres) of Syrah vines which are at least 45 years old. Only 15,000 bottles of this wine are produced per year. This wine has a very dark colour with blue hints, it is an extremely complex wine with a lot of character. It has a well balanced, attractive and full bodied taste, and goes very well with traditional game dishes.

The white wine is made exclusively from Marsanne grapes, from 2 hectares (5 acres) of vines that are more than 60 years old, planted on loess "terre blanche" calcareous clay soils. Only 10,000 bottles of this wine are produced per year. This is a concentrated wine, which is well-rounded with hints of vanilla and is excellent when served with shellfish or poultry with cream sauce.

Crozes Hermitage White "Mule Blanche"

This 7 hectares (17.5 acres) vineyard, adjacent to "Domaine de Thalabert", gives a white wine made from two grape varieties, Marsanne (50%) and Roussanne (50%), vinified cold in small stainless tanks with a few months at ageing in small oak barrels.

Its colour is bright, pale yellow with greenish hints. It displays an extremely rich, aromatic bouquet which, in its youth, has notes of apricot, hawthorn and acacia, evolving with time to give a more dried-fruit character.

Its ageing potential is from 2 to 6 years. Depending on its age, it is ideal with fish, whether grilled or poached, and also with pheasant, veal or pork.

Cornas "Domaine de Saint-Pierre"

Cornas is an appellation covering 80 hectares (200 acres), producing a dark red wine made only from the Syrah grape.

"Domaine de Saint-Pierre" faces south/south-east and is sheltered from the strong prevailing winds (Mistral). The steep slopes are terraced, with stone retaining walls, and the soil is powdery clay. This vineyard was recently acquired in 1993, and its 3.7 hectares (9.25 acres) are planted with very old vines.

This magnificient wine, after very long vatting, is matured in oak casks. Superbly powerful and tannic when young, it softens over the years to display great finesse and elegance. At that stage, it is an extremely aromatic wine, with a bouquet of prunes, stewed fruit and truffles. Ten years old, it is an irresistible choice to accompany all game in sauce and strong cheeses.