Domaine de la Rameau 2015 - AOC Valais
Our top of the range red is produced in 2015 from the Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grape varieties. A wine highlighting the power of the Chamoson terroirs.
Grape varieties
40% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot.
Syrah is one of the most beautiful grape varieties of the French Rhône valley. It was quite natural that she found a second home in Valais, on the banks of the Rhône. Syrah and its purple color expresses itself with notes of spices, black pepper and wild berries. It brings a magnificent identity to our blend.
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most widely planted grape varieties in the world. Late-ripening, it found soils and a climate to its liking in Valais. With its very full-bodied and tannic structure, Cabernet Sauvignon brings density and power to this blend.
Cabernet Franc is a more discreet grape variety globally, but it is considered one of the great red grape varieties of the Loire Valley, Bordeaux and Valais. This late-ripening grape variety brings elegance and typical aromas of tobacco and leather to this blend.
No need to introduce Merlot, a grape variety planted in all the beautiful vineyards around the world including Valais in Switzerland. Merlot is medium late and loves deeper soils like we have in Chamoson. This grape variety brings flesh and smoothness to our blend.
Winemaking
The harvest of the different grape varieties is done manually according to maturity. Each grape variety is vatted separately in order to achieve the most precise macerations possible depending on the grape variety.
We carry out cold macerations for 10 to 15 days then the fermentations begin. We maintain a fermentation temperature around 25°C and we carry out light punching down during the 10-15 days of fermentation. The devattings are decided by tastings.
The pressing is as delicate as possible and we separate the free-run juices and the press juices in order to produce a blend that best reflects the finesse of each vintage. We create the blend of different grape varieties after pressing, then the wines are put into oak barrels for aging for 14 months. 80% of the barrels are new oak barrels from Tonnellerie François Frères in Burgundy, the remaining 20% are oak barrels from 1 wine (having already vinified a vintage).
After aging, the wines are lightly filtered then bottled. We market the wines 1 year after bottling in order to give the wine time to flourish before being marketed.
Vintage 2015
The beginning of veraison occurred for the first period grape varieties one week ahead of the 2014 vintage. The dryness of July allowed the installation of a moderate hydric constraint sought in the ripening phase of the grapes.
The rapid accumulation of sugars led to an early start to the harvest, on 8 September 2015. The harvest benefited from sunny and dry weather. After a very demanding 2014 vintage in terms of sorting, the winemakers appreciated the very good quality of the grapes this year.
The warm days and cool nights of September allowed the grapes to ripen regularly, which is a guarantee of quality. The first tastings reveal stunning wines in both the whites and the reds. They are warm, fleshy, very aromatic, charming and greedy.
The red wines are distinguished by their deep, dark colour. The bouquet is intense with aromas of ripe black and red fruits sprinkled with spices. Powerful, generous and concentrated, the palate unfolds with a solid structure, supported by coated and silky tannins.
The choice not to carry out malolactic fermentation in the whites has enabled them to retain a dynamic freshness. They have an expressive fruitiness of ripe fruit balanced by a refreshing acidity. Beautifully balanced white wines, full of opulence and freshness. The power and strength of Petite Arvine in this sunny vintage reveal notes of pink grapefruit and ripe citrus.
Tasting
A nose of menthol, violet, with notes of coffee and leather.
The palate is deep and rich, with black fruits, cocoa and notes of crushed strawberries.
A wine that will pair wonderfully with a shank of confit beef or simmered wild boar cheeks.
Wine conservation
8 to 12 years (in good temperature and humidity conditions).
