Archange Rouge
O C t u x R o u g e A r c h a n g e
Archange red: this is a wine for special occasions, for a rare sirloin steak or a birthday baron of beef.
Assemblage
90% Syrah and 10% Grenache.
Vinification
Handpicked in late September and early October, in a great vintage. The grapes were crushed and destemmed before being fermented. The Syrah was fermented between 26°C and 28°C for ten days with a delestage every day. The Grenache was fermented in an open tank with regular punch downs during the fermentation period. Further maceration was conducted for four weeks to facilitate the full extraction and softening of the tannins. After pressing 75% of the Syrah was placed into traditional Burgundy oak barrels (228l), between two and five years old, and 25% into a Terra Cotta Amphora (800l) for malo-lactic fermentation, and matured for twelve months. The Grenache meanwhile was aged in stainless steel tank to preserve its rich fruit flavours. The wine was then blended and very lightly filtered before bottling.
Analysis
Alcohol content is 15.5%
Production
370 cases of twelve bottles 90 magnums
Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep red with violet edges.
Nose: Rich aromas of spices, black cherries, violet and touches of liquorice.
Palate: Intense flavours of ripe black fruits with a rich, smooth tannin structure which provides a beautiful final of smoky and chocolate notes.
Cellaring: Can be drunk now with decanting or kept for up to ten years at least to experience the progress of its full development.
