Tasting Notes
Philippe is making one of the finest examples of essentially old vine Grenache wines in the world today, fermented in open concrete cuve beton and aged in tank it is a wine of considerable style and grace and despite all the plaudits, it remains priced very fairly indeed.
Despite infancy it has a very vibrant and aromatic array of red fruit and flowers with an attractive lift of raspberries and red plums, as well as spiced herbs and garrigue. The palate has a very sapid and assertive, red-cherry core with a thread of tannin that enables to wine to carry long in the mouth. This has power yet is elegant and has a vibrant beauty. Like his friend and neighbour, Laurent Charvin, Philippe uses no oak in this wine, only concrete and tanks. - Importer Note
Although only a few will ever get to enjoy these wines as the domaine is very small (only 5 ~ ha in Châteauneuf du Pâpe and 10 in Côtes du Rhône, which over half is on vines approaching 100 years old) they are well worth the hunt.
All the vines are situated in the lieu-dit Chemin Saint Jean, the same Northern holy grail as Charvin, Beaucastel, Marcoux and La Vieille Julienne.
Current custodian Philippe Bravay uses organic growing techniques and limits yields severely (his Côtes du Rhône yields less than 2 tonnes to the acre, and the Châteauneuf du Pâpe much less) vinification is traditional: open top fermenters, basket presses, and cement cuves.
Following some excellent press in the past few years, these wines have started to be hoarded by trophy collectors but remain excellent value.
The Côtes du Rhône vines were planted between 1933 and 1946, and consist of 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Cinsault. It is quite unbelievable just how good these are.
France's appellation laws, whilst quite brilliant, can be frustrating for some, including Philippe Bravay - a little country road acts as a separation point that prevents these vines from being able to produce Châteauneuf du Pâpe. They are fantastic Côtes du Rhônes!
Winemaking: Natural indigenous yeasts only. Maceration 'à froid' for 2 days to avoid explosive start to the fermentation. Mostly ferments at 27/28o with 30o max. Remontage morning and afternoon for 6 days of 25% of the volume of the cuve, 20 day cuvaison follows. Press wine assembled at the start. Racked once after alcoholic fermentation and again after malolactic fermentation ‚– then not touched. Prefers to keep max amount of C02 possible during elevage. Bottled in May after 20 months with no filtration but light fining. Cuvaison and elevage is all in tank (either cement or stainless steel). - Importer Note
| Product Type | Wine Red Grenache & Friends |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | France |
| Region | Southern Rhone |
| Sub Region | Chateauneuf du Pape |
| Winemaking Practices | Minimal Intervention |
| Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |