Syrah 2020 - Pré des Pierres - AOC Valais
Our plot selection of Syrah from the magnificent terroir of Pré des Pierres in Chamoson.
Vineyard
The terroir of Pré des Pierres is located on the limestone alluvial cone, with many pebbles, between Chamoson and Saint-Pierre-de-Clage. Our Syrah is located on a deep enough area that it never needs to be irrigated and thus allows the grapes to ripen with good concentrations. We are lucky to have this authentic grape variety planted on such a prestigious terroir.
Grape variety
100% Syrah
Syrah is one of the most beautiful grape varieties of the French Rhône Valley. It is quite natural that it has found a second home in Valais, on the banks of the Rhône. Syrah, with its purple colour, expresses itself with notes of spices, black pepper and wild berries. On the Pré des Pierre terroir, its expression is both fruity and racy.
Winemaking
We carry out cold maceration for 10 to 15 days and then start the fermentation process. We maintain a fermentation temperature of around 25°C and carry out light punching downs during the 10-15 days of fermentation. Decanting is decided by tasting.
The pressing is as delicate as possible and we separate the free-run juice from the press juice to make a blend that best reflects the finesse of each vintage.
The Syrah is then aged in oak barrels for 14 months. 50% of the barrels are new oak from the Tonnellerie François Frères in Burgundy, the remaining 50% are 1-wine oak barrels (having already vinified one vintage).
After maturation, the Syrah is lightly filtered and then bottled. We market the Syrah - Pré des Pierres a few months after bottling to give the wine time to develop before marketing.
Vintage 2020
The favourable conditions at the beginning of the season made it possible to delay the first treatments against fungal diseases. Alternating rainy and dry spells accompanied by high temperatures in July and August led the winegrower to intervene to protect the harvest.
The harvest officially opened on 11 September and took place in favourable weather conditions with a quality of grapes requiring very little sorting.
The hot and dry climate of the first part of the harvest contrasted with the coolness and humidity that set in at the end of September. We therefore find wines with different balances depending on the plots and the harvest dates chosen by the winemakers. The first tastings reveal greedy, fine wines with very good concentrations.
Tasting
Generous cherry and raspberry flavours with a roasted finish.
This Syrah will go wonderfully well with a spicy lamb tagine or a duck breast.
Wine conservation
Ageing potential of 6 to 8 years (in good temperature and humidity conditions).
