A blend made from 3 grape varieties: Grenache over 80 years old, Syrah over 45 years old and Mourvèdre over 75 years old.
90/100 - PARKER
"Nicely done all around, Xavier Vignon's 2016 Rasteau is full-bodied and slightly warm, but it does deliver complex notes of ground spices, ripe plums and supple tannins. Drink it over the next 5 years."
92/100 - JEB DUNNUCK
"The 2016 Rasteau (75% Grenache and the balance Syrah and Mourvèdre) is a big, ripe, opulent effort that’s packed with full-bodied notes of blackberries, crushed rock, new leather and lots of minerality. It has sweet tannin, and while already impossible to resist, it will keep for 7-8 years."
Selection of 17 parcels spread over the Rasteau appellation on 3 different terroirs:
- 40% at an altitude of 300 metres on marl and conglomerate
- 20% on stony clay-limestone hillside, sand and pebbles
- 40% on old terraces with gravels
Vinification
Destemming of the entire harvest
Limited manipulation of the grapes and fermentation at very low temperature to favour a gentle extraction of tannins and aromas
Co-fermentation of the different grapes for more aromatic complexity.
Ageing
50% in concrete tanks, 25% in demi-muids and 25% in new barrels
Chicken massalé - Leg of lamb with rosemary - Duck confit parmentie