Syrah 2018 - Pré des Pierres - AOC Valais
Our plot selection of Syrah, a unique Valais wine, from the magnificent terroir of Pré des Pierres in Chamoson/Saint-Pierre-de-Clages.
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 2018
The year 2018 was characterised by a marked lack of rainfall throughout the vegetation and ripening period. These hot and dry weather conditions were particularly beneficial to the vines and were very unfavourable to fungal diseases and other pests.
Officially opened on 10 September, the harvest lasted four weeks and took place in very good weather conditions. The irreproachable sanitary state allowed the harvesting of high quality grapes.
The 2018 vintage is a reflection of the past wine season. The hot summer conditions allowed the production of healthy grapes with optimal ripeness. The alternation of warm days and cool nights in September helped preserve the aromatic potential of the wines. At harvest time, the berries were small due to the hot and dry summer. This phenomenon allowed a remarkable concentration of sugars, aromas and colouring matter.
An unexpected and surprising freshness gives energy and vitality to the wines. They are powerful, fleshy and display an insolent and dynamic opulence, which is exceptional for a hot and early vintage.
The white wines offer a beautiful exuberance in the perfumes and aromas. On the palate, the fruitiness is brilliant, combining floral notes and ripe fruit while retaining a surprising freshness. The red wines reveal a rich palette of black fruits and warm spices with beautiful, silky, melted tannins.
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).
