Côte-Rôtie 2018 - Pierre Gaillard

Côte-Rôtie 2018 - Pierre Gaillard

Fruity, fleshy and refined. This wine expresses diversity and all of the estate’s terroirs blended together. 

Terroir : 

• Surface area: 5 hectares.
  Districts: Ampuis (Rhône).
  Grape varieties: 90% Syrah, 10% Viognier
  Soils: Blond and brown Schist.
  Yields: 35hl/ha.
  Situated on slopes facing south/south-east of Ampuis, the vines are planted on various types of soil. Some of the parcels are situated on brown schist rich in iron oxide producing well-structured wines. The others are located on blond schist composed of alluvium and loess bringing about more supple and aromatic wines.

Winemaking :

• Handpicked harvest, sorting of the healthy and well-ripened grapes.Total destemming. Cold maceration before fermentation, alcoholic fermentation at 35°C. Maceration following fermentation at 30°C. Malolactic fermentation in barrels.
  The winemaking is carried out according to traditonal Côte-Rôtie techniques. Cap-punching, pumping over and release techniques help to thoroughly extract the strong aromas and the tannins associated with Côte-Rôtie wines. A small percentage of Viognier brings about additional aromatique complexity, as well as fat, coating the Syrah’s tannins.

Maturing :

• 18 months in fine oak from Allier and Nevers.
  Barrels: 50 % new with oxygen added every 4 months.
  Each parcel is vinified separately to obtain different wines expressing their own special character. These wines are then blended to obtain a better balance between the strength and the elegance of these terroirs.
• Ageing: They distinguish themselves in their youth, but also after 10 to 15 years ageing.

92-94/100 Parker : "Silky and elegant, with ripe tannins, silky mouthfeels and elegant red fruit. Promising stuff." Joe Czerwinski

Drink date : 2021 - 2033