17 Minervois AC 2009
Château de Rieux

Grape:90% Syrah, 10% Grenache (14% alc.)

This syrah dominant Minervois has lush, attractive blackberry fruit, liquorice, a touch of oak and silky tannins. For drinking now to 2012.

Technical Information
Winemaker:	Emmanuel de Soos
Location:	Rieux, Minervois 30km east of Carcassonne in southern France, 40km from the Mediterranean.
Size of domaine:	30 hectares. As well as grapes for the Minervois, Ch. de Rieux also own Viognier, Cinsault and Carignan vines that they bottle as Vin de Pays.
Grape:	90% Syrah (30 years old), 10% Grenache (40 years old)
Terroir:	Clay and limestone with rounded river pebbles – vineyards lying on ancient river terrace of the Aude
Viticulture:	The soil is ploughed between the rows to restrict vigour – yields are only 30hl/ha
Vinification:	Destalked 100%. The juice is pumped over and delestages are carried out as necessary during the alcoholic fermentation. Malolactic fermentation in barrel (2-3 year old). One years elevage with no racking before bottling without fining or filtration in March, 18 months after the harvest.
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qty (bottles)

exc vat: £9.92