Vintage 2006 was a good year in the Rhone Valley and it shows with this wine. Quite pure and fragrant with dark cherries, rich cassis, plums, spice and acidity. A great value sub $20 Rhone Valley red. Anthony D'Anna
Grower Profile: One of the oldest Domaines in Châteauneuf du Pape, once owned by the Monks who were the first to create this distinctive wine. It is super unctuous with a great density and a deep emphasis on well matured Grenache with great longivity. The Côtes du Rhone is a superbly made wine full of charm and good balance - perfect enjoyable drinking.
The Carthusian Order planted their grapevines on the small hills surrounding this 13th century monastery. The vineyards are located on soils dating from the end of the lower cretaceous to the upper cretaceous periods. On an impervious marly layer are found prevalently various types of soil, but always sandy.
The vineyards of Valbonne are part of the appellation Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Rhone Villages.
During the last 25 years, the association has almost restored, with new varietals, the vineyards which the Carthusian Order cultivated.
In fact, the grapevines planted by the Carthusian community had been abandoned completely after their departure in 1901. The inventory done in 1907, at the time of its sale at public auction, mentioned 17 hectares of grapevines, of which at least 3 hectares were of the pinot variety, according to the conserved plans.
The mention of a still leads us to think that this vineyard was also intended for the production of alcohol which went into making Grande Chartreuse liqueur. Also recovered were some large barrels, which can still be admired in a cool and humid cellar dating from the 13th century.
Abandoned after their departure in 1901, the vineyard disappeared almost entirely. Starting in 1977, the beautifully located grapevines were replanted. Today, a little over 16 hectares are cultivated and the viticultural domain of the old Carthusian monastery is nearly completely restored.
limate, soils and varietals are the components of any viticultural domain. The local climate is very different from that of the surrounding Mediterranean region. Encircled by forest, the vineyard of Valbonne benefits from a certain freshness, which confers to the wine its elegance and aromatic finesse.
The soils of Valbonne are characterized by their exposure (horseshoe-shaped small hills), by the forest environment (hygrometry, regularization of temperatures), and by the numerous terraces of light and stony chalky-sandstone.
Varieties:Grenache (50%), for the roundness, the fullness and the fruit. Syrah (50%), for the color, tannins and its aptitude for ageing.
Location: A Northeastern exposure. Grapevines on terraces and small hills. Its privileged location, at the heart of a magnificent forest, constitutes an closed environment with a unique climate.
Soil: Is constituted of chalky-sandstone, dated from the lower cretaceous period of the secondary era (240 million years). The soil is of a homogeneous structure and texture.
The age of the vines: The Grenache: 25 years The Syrah: 25 years
Cultivation: Grapevines are cultivated traditionally, some with natural grasses. Debudding and thinning are done in summer. Production: 40 hl/ha.
Vintages: 100% hand-picked, bunches are harvested in light wooden boxes, the grapes are then sorted on tables in the cellar.
Shipped to Australia in a temperature controlled container.
