Domaine de la Rameau 2017 - AOC Valais
Our top-of-the-range white is produced in 2017 from the Petite Arvine and Païen grape varieties. A wine highlighting the finesse of the Chamoson terroirs.
Grape Variety
75% Petite Arvine, 25% Païen
Petite Arvine is the great Valais white wine with an international reputation. As its name suggests, Petite Arvine produces small grapes that are extremely concentrated. Delicate, sensitive to winds, it only ripens late and therefore requires the best exposure, preferably not too arid. Petite Arvine brings minerality to our white blend.
When we talk about Païen (Heida in Haut-Valais) it is the Valais name given to the white wine made from the Savagnin grape variety because its flamboyant color is a little straw yellow. This grape variety brings complexity and a beautiful aroma to our blend.
Winemaking
The harvest of the two grape varieties is done manually depending on the maturity.
All attention is given to the moment of pressing in the selection of juices. We carry out a light settling before putting the musts into oak barrels of 2-3 wines (no new barrels).
Alcoholic fermentation is done in barrels and we do not carry out malolactic fermentation in order to maintain freshness.
Ageing in oak barrels lasts around 9 months then we rack the wines. We filter the wines very lightly before bottling and we age for a few months in the bottle in order to preserve the minerality.
Vintage 2017
The year 2017 started with the coldest January in 30 years. In contrast, March was unusually warm. The high temperatures combined with good sunshine contributed to the early development of the vegetation. The vines broke bud ten days earlier than the ten-year average.
April was marked by severe night frosts on the nights of 19 to 23 April, which caused considerable damage to the vineyard, given the advanced development of vegetation for the period.
The month of June was particularly warm and favourable to the growth of the vines and allowed the development of healthy foliage. On August 1st, an exceptional hail storm hit the vineyard locally. The warm weather conditions of August contributed to the production of high quality grapes.
The harvest began on 11 September and took place under very good weather conditions, marked by a virtual absence of rainfall (a quarter of the ten-year norm for September and October) and ended in October under an Indian summer.
The hot summer conditions allowed the production of healthy grapes at optimum ripeness. The warm days and cool nights of September allowed the aromatic potential to be preserved and the acidity of the grapes not to be degraded. At harvest time, the berries were small due to the hot, dry summer. This allowed a remarkable concentration of aromas and colour in the red wines.
The first tastings reveal generous wines with very good balance and freshness, which is exceptional for a "hot and early" vintage. The white wines show a beautiful exuberance, combining floral notes and ripe fruit while maintaining a dynamic freshness. The red wines are greedy, opulent with voluminous tannins and magnificent colours. In summary: promising wines with character, reflecting the terroir and the sunny climate of the 2017 vintage.
Tasting
A slightly oily nose, full of finesse, reveals some notes of spices such as cumin or curry.
The palate, all in length, with lemony notes makes you salivate. The limestone terroir reveals fine mineral notes.
This wine will pair wonderfully with a fillet of pike in sauce or poultry and mushroom fricassee.
Wine conservation
Aging potential of 6 to 8 years (in good temperature and humidity conditions).
