2019 Domaine des Ardoisières 'Argile' Rouge

Region: Saint-Jean-de-la-Porte and Saint-Pierre-de-Soucy, Savoie, France

Grapes: 65% Gamay, 25 % Mondeuse, 10% Persan

Vineyard Practice: Certified Organic, practising biodynamic

Culinary Suggestions: Charcuterie, char-coaled rib eye, pork

Alcohol: 11.5%

Bottle Size: 750ml

Rich in crimson and black fruits with notes of liquorice and red pepper, this wine combines zesty acidity with silky tannins for a sensuous, well-structured experience.

Origins

In 1998, Michel Grisard embarked on a visionary project to rejuvenate the hillside of Cevins by replanting six hectares of mica-schists on terraces nestled between Albertville and Moutiers. This ambitious endeavour gave birth to Domaine des Ardoisières. Brice Omont, an agricultural engineer with roots in Champagne, joined in 2003, and has since ascended to lead the estate, now expanded to 16 hectares.

The estate is celebrated for its commitment to biodynamic viticulture, thriving in an Alpine climate that combines sandy clay soil with mica-schist and limestone scree bedrock. The steep slopes, with inclinations of up to 60% and southern exposure at altitudes between 400-500 metres, contribute to a wine production that is both limited and highly esteemed, capped at 25 hectoliters per hectare.

The 'Argile' Rouge is a sophisticated blend predominantly featuring 50-year-old Mondeuse from limestone-clay soils in Saint-Jean-de-la-Porte, complemented by Gamay and Persan from 40-year-old vines on schist marl hillsides in Saint-Pierre-de-Soucy. The grapes undergo a ten-day maceration and are vinified in tanks, followed by nine months of élevage in fibreglass tanks. This meticulous process, coupled with minimal intervention and the strategic addition of SO2, yields a wine of profound depth, complexity, and vibrant aromatic expression, including violet, pomegranate, and spicy red fruits underscored by an iron-laced, mineral-rich palate. With only 5,000 bottles produced, the 'Argile' Rouge is a rare and captivating expression of its Alpine terroir.

Cork Tasting Notes

A striking aroma of rich crimson and black fruits, complemented by subtle notes of liquorice and red pepper. Rich layers of black wild berries and red bramble fruit give way to a zesty, energetic acidity on the tongue, which is sensuous and well-structured. A finish with silky, crisp tannins and a distinctly saline quality marks the culmination of the encounter.