|
The les Picasses vineyard stands out from the rest: old vines of 50-ish years on a fairly steep slope from the riverbank that is alluvial clay with a chalk limestone base. The fruit is particularly expressive of dark fruits of cassis and dark cherries with a terrific mineral content and good acidity for structure. The winemaking is most traditional at this estate. The grapes are, of course, handpicked and fermented in stainless steel. The wines are then aged in larger, neutral oak and sometimes chestnut, a traditional barrel wood in the region. The Picasses spends two to three years in oak, to reduce the wine and soften the tannins, and is usually released about 4 years after the vintage. Raffault's les Picasses often has a light garnet color belying the depth of fruit flavor and complexity. Its style is rustic, quite earthy, with hints of orange zest and deep, dark cherry flavor. The tannins are soft, but present, and the mineral complexity in the finish is superb.--Winemakers Note
|
