VIP French Rhône Tasting featuring Vidal-Fleury

For this delicious Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc, Viognier and Grenache Blanc grapes are grown in shallow soils made up primarily of clay, granite and sand. Vineyards are primarily on hillsides with an average of 150-250 meters in elevation. Grapes are hand and machine harvested and transported to the winery in small crates. Fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation does not occur. The wine is aged in tank, on its lees for six months. The finished wine is lightly filtered and fined followed by a minimum of 3 months in bottle. 

For this Ventoux red, Syrah and Grenache grapes are grown in shallow soils made up primarily of limestone and calcareous clay. Vineyards are primarily on hillsides with an average of 250-500 meters in elevation. Grapes are hand and machine harvested and transported to the winery in small crates. Fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts in temperature controlled tanks with the maceration period lasting approximately two weeks. The wine is aged on its lees with 70% in tank and 30% in large oak barrels. The finished wine is lightly filtered and fined followed by a minimum of 3 months in bottle prior to release.  

Sourced from steep slopes along the Rhône River made up of granite soils with schist and gneiss. Vineyard elevations between 200-400 meters with an ideal southern exposure. Vinification: Grapes are machine and hand harvested and transported to the winery in small crates. Fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts in temperature controlled tanks with the maceration period lasting approximately 3 weeks. We tasted and loved this St. Jo with its hint of nutmeg and clove in the nose mingling with red and black fruits. On the palate, this is a little earthy but perfectly ripe, and makes you crave red meat. Aged 12 months in 10% new oak, the rest in one or two year barrels. The finished wine is very lightly filtered (cross flow) and not fined. The wines rest in bottle for a minimum of 4 months prior to release.

RATED 94 WINE ENTHUSIAST : Sourced from two of the most revered parcels of the entire Rhône Valley, this Côte Rôtie is made from steep, terraced vineyards rising high above the Rhône River. Côte Blonde owes its name to the light soils of gneiss and silica gravel with clay, while the Côte Brune to the north contains darker soil of mica, schist, iron and a higher proportion of clay.  'Bold aromas of blackberry, black plum, cassis, violet and wild mint penetrate a firm stone bed and fresh potting soil. The palate is focused, with lush black fruit and black olives, intertwined with a harmony of violets, garrigue, underbrush, pink peppercorn and dried earth.'