VINEYARDS & VITICULTUREThe grapes come from vines Gilles himself planted in 1996, on an old riverbed on the west end of Crozes-Hermitage. The grapes are then selected from the best plots for Cuvée Papillon. Vineyards are managed with respect for the land in regards to plowing and weeding. Organic plant-based fertilizer and compost are used to support microbial life for the release of nutrients in the soils.
SOILSPebbles and gravel on a layer of sandy clay
HARVEST & VINIFICATIONGrapes are manually harvested and selected on an optical sorting table. They are de-stemmed and fermented with native yeast with pumping over and punch down, then aged in stainless steel tanks for eight months.
The 2019 Côtes Du Rhône will be a no-brainer purchase. This Syrah-heavy red has lots of blackberry, bouquet garni, and peppery notes in a ripe, full-bodied, textured style. It’s well worth buying and drinking over the coming 5-7 years.
Deep ruby, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Bull By The Horns has pleasingly herbal touches of bay leaves and dried herbs over a core of blackcurrant, game meat, tar and pencil shavings. The full-bodied palate has abundant, grainy tannins, uplifting, juicy aci...
Mourchon's winemaker Sebastain Magnouac hails from Gigondas and makes this wine just for us. He won't tell me where he gets the fruit from but when you taste it you'll know it's someone good!
I was blown away by the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvee Chaupin, a 100% Grenache release that comes almost exclusively from the Chaupin lieu-dit in the northern part of the appellation. It's never as inky-hued or powerful as the Vieilles Vignes but always ...