Provence Producers Flashcards
Who owns Chateau Simone, and when was it founded?
The Rougier Family
1830
Simone: Terroir
20ha of vines
Limestone soil
Planted on a natural amphitheatre of north facing slopes on Montaiguet, 500-750M.
The vineyard as it was replanted post-phylloxera exists to this day.
Simone: Wines
White: Clairette, plus Grenache Blanc, Ugni Blanc, plus
Red/Rosé: Grenache, Mourvèdre and Cinsault, plus
What is the second line of Simone? What styles are produced?
Les Grands Carmes de Simone, named for the order of monks who originally planted the vineyards and dug out the cellars.
White and Rosé only
Who is Jean Rougier?
The fourth generation of Rougiers, instrumental in pushing for the Palette AOP (originally titled the Chateau Simone AOP).
Trevallon: Foundations
Planting began in 1973 when Eloi and René Durrbach purchased the property.
Trevallon: Appellation
VDP Bouches-du-Rhône, as the 1993 legislation for Les Baux de Provence required a max of 20% cabernet sauvignon (est. 1995).
As of 2009, they appellate with the smaller zonal IGP Alpilles.
What are the Alpilles?
A chain of mountains dividing Avignon from the southern parts of Provence; backdrop of Les Baux de Provence.
Trevallon: Soils and aspect
Rocky Limestone
North facing slopes looking up at the Alpilles
Trevallon: Wines
Blanc: 45% Marsanne, 45% Roussanne, 10% Chardonnay, aged in barrique for 1 year
Rouge: 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, aged in foudre and barrique (5%) for two years
Tempier: History
Owned by the Tempier family since 1834.
Modern era began in 1936 when Lulu Tempier married Lucien Peyraud. Emphasis in the vineyards was turned back to Mourvedre. Lucien was also instrumental in the creation of the Bandol AOP in 1941.
Who is the current winemaker at Tempier, and since when?
Daniel Ravier, since 2000.
In general, winemaking is much cleaner and the wines are approachable younger.
Tempier: White Winemaking
Destemmed before crushing
Cold soak pre-fermentation
Aging in foudre for 8-10mos post ML
Tempier: Rosé Winemaking
50% Direct Press
60% Saignee
Aged 6-8mos in cuve
Tempier: Red Winemaking
Destemmed
Native yeast
Fermented in stainless steel
Aged in foudre for 18-20mos
La Miguoa
Highest elevation (270M)
Heterogeneous clay: red, blue, ochre
Earthy, gamey wines
Highest % of grenache, lowest % of mourvèdre
La Tourtine
Mid-slope
Homogeneous, rich clay
Powerful, tannic wines
Cabassaou
Lowest elevation, protected from the Mistral
Highest % of Mourvèdre - 95%
Tempier Cuvée Classique
70-75% Mourvèdre plus Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan
Blend of vineyards across the domaine
What is La Louffe?
A south-facing slope in the La Miguoa vineyard, planted to cinsault. Bottled separately in 1987-1989.
Tempier Blanc: Cepage
60% Clairette, plus Bourboulec, Ugni Blanc, Marsanne
Does Tempier produce spirits?
Yes, Marc de Provence, from La Tourtine pomace.
Aged 8-10 years in barrique.
Pradeaux: Origins
Property of the Portalis family since before the French Revolution (1752). Currently in the hands of Cyrille Portalis.
Pradeaux: Winemaking
Whole cluster press
Aged in barrel for up to 4 years for reds
Vines under 25 not used for red
Rose is direct press, aged in cement.
Pradeaux Bandol Rouge
95% Mourvèdre, 5% Grenache
35yo vines
What is Cuvée Longe Garde?
Prestige wine of Pradeaux, made when the vintage alows.
Oldest mourvèdre vines (45yo average)
Made exclusively for Rosenthal
Pradeaux Bandol Rosé
50/50 Cinsault and Mourvèdre, younger vines
Pibarnon: Origins and location
Established 1975 by Comte Henri de Saint-Victor
Farther inland, atop La Colline du Télégraphe; very high elevation (333M)
Pibarnon: vineyards and soil
Terraces of Blue Marl & Limestone, fossil deposits dating 150 million years after those elsewhere in the appellation.
Trained en gobelet.
Average vine age 40 years.
Pibarnon: Winemaking
partial destemming (30-50%)
fermented in stainless steel
aged in foudre
Pibarnon Blanc
45% Clairette, 30% Bourboulenc, plus
Pibarnon Rosé
65% Mourvedre, 35% Cinsault
80% Direct Press, 20% Saignee
Pibarnon Rouge
95% Mourvèdre.
Some experiements with small amounts of new oak.
What is Les Restanques de Pibarnon?
The entry level rouge, from a single vineyard.
70% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache
What are restanques?
The terraces of Bandol.
