DOMAINE SAINT-PIERRE D’ESCARVAILLAC
Memory of an ancestral know-how
Our wines
Stone vats
The uniqueness and strength of our wines, their aromas and colors, are due to the excellent quality of the harvest (almost entirely manual) and an ancient winemaking method: the stone vats carved by the monks of the Chartreuse de Bonpas, seven centuries ago, in the rocky bed of the former Durance River.
The Cellar
TASTE !
Au domaine Saint-Pierre d’Escarvaillac, depuis le XIVe siècle, la fermentation and maceration of the harvested grapes are carried out in vats carved into the rock.
During fermentation and maceration, daily pump-overs and stirrings ensure an exceptional extraction and diffusion of tannins, the color and fruit aromas. In simple terms: it's tannic, but it's good.
Don't repeat it too often, but to filter the wine before transferring it to the fermentation vat, we use... wild asparagus.
Welcome to the post-Middle Ages!
LIVING MEMORY OF AN ANCESTRAL KNOW-HOW
The porous texture of the stone promotes particularly interesting gas exchanges between the must and the pomace (pronounced "moo" and "mar").
In a true "low-tech eco" spirit (and sometimes slightly clownish), the pressing takes place as it did at the end of the Middle Ages: the pomace is removed from the tanks using large vats raised by pulleys and ropes, skillfully operated by workers who are perfectly sober. All our cuvées are fermented and macerated (open tanks, 10 to 15 days) as well as vinified (closed tanks, 7 to 9 months) in these stone vats.
The fermentation lasts between 6 and 8 days with daily pump-overs: the juice, which is turning into wine, is pumped from the bottom of each tank and recirculated over the cap of pomace. This process helps extract a wide range of acids, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements that contribute to the richness and complexity of our wines.
When fermentation is complete, we keep the wine and its cap of pomace for a few additional days in open vats and continue pumping over; this is maceration. Even though the use of sulfur is allowed in organic winemaking, our levels are equivalent to those of a natural wine.
Remarkable from the very first year for their structure and roundness, our cuvées then evolve towards a more subtle fruitiness and softer tannins, with notes of spices, while remaining just as long on the palate and generous.
Just simplifying a little bit.
- Grenache brings fruitiness to our cuvées.
- Syrah: aromatic complexity.
- Carignan: structure.
- and Cinsault: freshness.
- Will you be able to detect the Mourvèdre?
Our Cuvées
La Saint Pierre – 2022
AOC – Côtes du Rhône
Tasting notes
Nose : A soft and fluid expression of raspberry and blackcurrant, as well as aromas of blackberries and spices.
In the mouth: The morello cherry bursts in the mouth. An acidity leans towards blackcurrant.
The attack is lively, the tannins are quite smooth, leaving fruit and spicier notes throughout the mouth. The terroir expresses itself through its minerality. A wine that is easy to drink, smooth and generous, with a present and delicate finish.
The terroir expresses itself through its minerality.
A wine that is easy to drink, smooth and generous, with a fruity and mineral finish.
Composition
- 50% Syrah
- 40% Grenache
- 10% Carignan
Aging
One year in concrete tank
La Huppe – 2022
AOC – Côtes du Rhône
Tasting notes
Nose A generous, spicy nose with rich aromas of red fruits like raspberry and black cherry. Notes of garrigue and pepper complement hints of prunes and figs.
In the mouth: The attack is silky, the full-bodied palate is enhanced with aromas of fruit and spices. The tannins are young but already well-integrated.
A gourmet, warm, and easy-to-drink wine, balancing the lusciousness of crisp fruit with its spicy aromas.
Composition
- 60% old Grenache
- 20% old Carignan
- 20% Syrah
Aging
One year in concrete tank
La Cépède – 2022
AOC – Côtes du Rhône
Tasting notes
Its nose Its complex nose releases aromas of black fruits with a hint of brandy, woody notes with touches of vanilla.
In the mouth: It is elegant, displaying an acidic structure that perfectly balances with a broad body.
The tannins are structured, and the finish is long, generous, with toasted aromas.
A wine that is straight and elegant.
Composition
- 90% Syrah
- 10% Cinsault
Aging
One year in concrete tank