Another of the vast Vinsobres repertoire, this wine comes from a plot with 90 year old vines co-planted with Grenache and Syrah.
Presentation
Presentation
Vinsobres is one of the most beautiful Crus in the Southern Rhône.
The vintage
The 2023 vintage is characterised by a beautiful climatic balance, which is reflected in the cellar. The mild winter was followed by a dry spring then a hot summer, particularly in August and September. Despite a slight lack of rain, these conditions allowed ideal ripening and the harvest began on August 22nd in perfect conditions. Under a warm and radiant sun, the harvest went perfectly, even if it was necessary to work quickly to prevent the juices from oxidizing in the heat, particularly the rosés. The harvest ended on October 4, with the last devatting on October 23. The first tastings reveal very balanced wines: they are rich, powerful and have good concentration, while having retained a beautiful freshness. A vintage that shows great potential.
Location
The vineyard is located 40 km north of Châteauneuf-du-Pape at an altitude of 300m benefiting from a cool climate, perfect for Syrah. Les Hauts de Julien is made with grapes from an old plot of vines (around 90 years old) co-planted in Syrah and Grenache.
Terroir
Quaternary alluvial stones on terraces.
Ageing
The crop is harvested manually. Upon arrival in the cellars, the grapes are sorted, destemmed and vatted in oak casks. After maceration, fermentation starts and extraction is done by punching down and pumping over. Before the end of the alcoholic fermentation, the juices are drained into French oak barrels where they finish fermenting and remain to age for a year and a half.
Varietals
Grenache
Syrah
Syrah
Advice
Serving
17°C.
Tasting
An elegant, deep-ruby colour with subtle purple highlights. Rich, complex, and intense, the nose offers superb aromas of ripe black fruit such as blackberries, blueberries, and black cherries, underscored by notes of undergrowth and truffle, and punctuated by subtle smoky and licorice notes reminiscent of careful oak aging. Both dense, concentrated, and luscious, the palate is elegant with fine, well-integrated tannins and a magnificent array of refined aromas, harmoniously blending black fruit, licorice, and mocha before a long finish with notes of smoky spice. A powerful, well-balanced wine of beautiful complexity with great aging potential. Decant before serving.
Food pairings
To be enjoyed with “Lièvre à la Royale”
Fondant chocolate cake (70% dark chocolate) and Sichuan pepper ice cream
Fondant chocolate cake (70% dark chocolate) and Sichuan pepper ice cream
Reviews
"Punchy but elegant, with great purity of blueberry and blackberry fruit, and serious tannins, which are a touch dry and grainy. Balanced acidity and oak work. All whole-bunch fruit, co-fermented then aged in new demi-muids. Planted on sandy soils, the Syrah vines are pre-phylloxera and most of the Grenache is, too."
"Coming from pre-phylloxera vines and the same 50/50 Grenache and Syrah, the 2023 Vinsobres Les Hauts De Julien was mostly destemmed and brought up all in older Beaucastel Blanc barrels. Saint Joseph-like blue fruits, ground pepper, and crushed stone all give way to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated Vinsobres that has a pure, elegant, yet nicely structured style."
"Crafted from vines of which 50% are ungrafted and produced in just 3,000 bottles, the 2023 Vinsobres Les Hauts de Julien is lovely, offering up aromas of chocolate, spices, mulberries and garrigue. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and rich, it boasts a fleshy core of fruit and a delicate yet structured tannic frame that leads to a long, penetrating finish. The ripest and most tannic in the range, it remains elegant and complex."
