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*New* 62 Condrieu Les Vallins AC 2010
Christophe BlancGrape:100% Viognier (13.5% alc.)
This wine comes from young vines in the two lieu dits of Piaton and La Maraze. A very well handled elevage helps the wine retain freshness and the granitic soil gives this apricot and peach rich viognier an added complexity. The nose is intensely aromatic and offers delicious fruit aromas of ripe pear complemented with elegant floral notes. The palate is very delicate and elegant , perfectly balanced and the long finish is all about freshness.
Technical Information Winemaker: Christophe Blanc Location: St Michel sur Rhône, Loire. The vineyard is on 2 different lieux-dits : Piaton and La Maraze Size of
domaine:0.9ha planted; the entire vineyard will be in production in september 2012 Grape: 100% viognier. 50% massal selection coming from St Michel sur Rhône; old vines selected by a former viticulturist. 50% clonal selection. 3 to 5 year old vines. 10000 vines per hectare on average. Trained single guyot. Terroir: Granite with biotite with a strong alteration of the mother rock; a few veins of limestone, 340 mtrs above sea-level. South and South East aspect on 10% to 30% slope. Soil depth 30cm approx. Viticulture: Debudding. Carries out light vendanges en vert. Grass grows naturally from August to March/April. Ploughing once in Spring. Uses copper and sulphur against oidium and mildew. No chemical pesticides, only organic fertilizers or compost if needed. Leaves the cuttings in the vineyard to bring some more nutriments. Harvested by hand. 40 to 44 hectos per hectare yield. Vinification: Pressing for 1h30 by a Vaselin press, cold settling of the juice for 24 hrs. Fermentation in barrels (30% of which are new) at 16°C to 18°C using natural, indigenous yeasts. Alcoholic fermentation for 5 to 8 months. The wine naturally carries out its malolactic fermentation (usually in Spring). Aged for 9 to12 months in the same barrels. Collage with bentonite if necessary, generally light filtration by Kieselghur. Only one bottling a year by a service provider. 2000 bottles produced on average. Press: