Domaine le Clos des Lumières Petit Verdot “Les Cypres”
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The vines are planted on alluvial sand soil from the Gardon river, underneath there are grey-clay soil from the Pliocène period, a deposit of algees when this area was covered by the Mediterranean.
- This region also benefits from the largest number of sunshine hours of France, important for the photo synthesis, sugar and maturing process.
- The northern wind called “Mistral”, blows up to 100 days a year, and keeps the vines clean and healthy.
- Limited amounts of fertilizers are used, only to maintain a balance in the soil, and when required by the vines. This is based on soil and leaf analysis.
- The yield is kept at a low level in order to have a high quality of grape. This is done by hedging, leaf-thinning and green harvesting.
Varietal Composition: 100% Petit Verdot
Elaboration: The harvest is done during the night to limit oxidation. The grapes are destemmed and crushed, followed by a cold pre-fermentation maceration to enhance fruit aromas in the wine. The vinification is done at low temperature with regular pumping over and cap-punching
Tasting Notes: Dark purple in color. Dark fruit and floral (violets, lilac) aromas. Flavors of black cherry, plum, and sage engulf the palate. Full-bodied with slight spice on the dry finish.
PRESS
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PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Domaine le Clos des Lumières is a 50-hectare, family farm founded in 1946 by the grandfather of the domaine’s current vigneron, Gerald Serrano. The ambitious and talented Gerald Serrano is solely responsible for the recent “coming out” of this estate – Prior to taking things over in 2003 Gerald’s father was selling all grapes on the estate to the local cooperative.
Having grown up on the property, Gerald is intimately familiar with the terroir here. The oldest vines now edge 60 years in age and this land really seems to “pack the character in.”. We’ve sold massive amounts of Rhone wine over the last forty years, and these are the most well-received Cotes du Rhone values we’ve carried in our history.