Capriers

Red wine from the Rhône Valley. Luberon appellation 40% Syrah, 25% Grenache Noir, 20% Pinot Noir, 15% Nebbiolo ECOCERT-certified organic viticulture Manual harvest Natural vinification Long aging

The Capriers vineyard is a splendid parcel, the highest on the estate, set in a protected, natural environment at the foot of the Luberon. The clay soils are slightly different from those of Le Claux, with an almost identical orientation, but at an altitude almost 100 m higher. These vines, taken over in 2008, took some time to regain their natural balance, enabling the grapes to reach the right level of ripeness. The old Syrah vines, as a result of a more productive first part of their life, are gradually dying, a little too early. We therefore try to protect the survivors as best we can, while adding new complantations to restore balance to the plot.

The clays of Capriers have a real affinity with La Morra or Barolo area in Piemonte, lighter clays with a lighter structure. This observation encouraged me to try the Nebbiolo grape variety on this terroir. Since the 2022 vintage and the ability of the young vines planted to produce enough grapes, the Capriers cuvée has been vinified in 3 parts. We start with an earlier harvest of Pinots Noirs, partly vinified in whole bunches and aged in demi-muids. Next comes the Syrah/Grenache pairing, whose maturities are quite similar on this late-ripening terroir, with short vatting times and ageing in stainless steel tanks. Finally, at the end of the harvest each year, towards the middle or end of October, we move on to the Nebbiolo, also with short vatting times and aged in large, used demi-muids. The final blend is a combination of these three cuvées.