Produced only in the best vintages since 2009, this cuvée comes from
Clos Peyrassol, one of the most beautiful plots on the estate,
surrounded by low stone walls, at the foot of the Templar buildings.
The winter of 2022-2023 was particularly dry in Provence. The arrival of spring did not
change the climatic conditions, and the resulting early drought was becoming particularly worrying. This was without counting on a complete turnaround in the situation during May and June. Regular and abundant rainfall profoundly changed the profile of the vintage. In some areas, more than 300 mm of rain was recorded, with several days of thundery showers, sometimes accompanied by hail. In some very localized areas, mildew had a profound effect on the potential of the harvest.
Fortunately, from June onwards, a particularly hot and dry summer put a definitive stop to the development of the fungus. Under glorious sunshine, the vines, which benefited from a good water reserve, developed under excellent conditions. From mid-August onwards, as we strolled through our vineyards, we noticed looser bunches,
highly concentrated grapes and thicker skins, perfect indicators of great vintages.
The first ripeness checks suggested a harvest with great potential, combining good acidity and moderate sugar levels. However, the end of the summer brought a new surprise, with a fortnight of almost scorching temperatures.
The ripeness of the grapes took off. Very quickly, the potential degrees soared,
and the colour and aromas appeared. Harvesting programmes had to be speeded up to preserve and benefit from the good acidity present on 15 August. In the later areas, from the second decade of September onwards, cooler nights facilitated pre-fermentation operations. The harvest took place in record time, with all the grapes in the cellar by early October. The lovely musts, which were already very pleasant to taste, augured well for a vintage of great quality. Fermentations produced beautifully coloured wines (whites, rosés and reds), with very clear aromas and well-balanced acidity on the palate.
2023 was a vintage in which vigilance, adaptation and responsiveness all came into their own. But the winemaker's hard work has been rewarded by the consistent
quality of our still young wines.
