Côte Rôtie Brune et Blonde de Vidal Fleury 2016
Vidal-Fleury
Founded in 1781, Vidal-Fleury not only is the Rhône’s oldest continuing grower/négociant firm, but it also secured an international following very quickly.Thomas Jefferson’s visit in 1787 was its first contact with the United States; he called the wines “ justly celebrated”.
The elaboration of Vidal-Fleury’s wines consists of four separate operations – the vineyard, winemaking, ageing and bottling. The superb origins of the grapes and the patience taken in maturing are what make the quality of Vidal-Fleury wines according to Winemaker Guy Sarton du Jonchay.
Terroir: Sourced from two of the most revered parcels of the entire Rhône Valley. Steep, terraced vineyards rise 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.
Vinification: Grapes are 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 with frequent pumping over. The wine is aged on its lees for a total of 3 years in a combination of new and used oak barrels as well as large oak casks. The finished wine is very lightly filtered (cross flow) and not fined. The wines rest in bottle for a minimum of 6 months prior to release.
Additional Information
Brilliant, dark red in color. Intense on the nose with violet, spice and berry. Rich, soft but intense on the palate, with layers of red fruit, black currant and spice.
Technical Details
- Appellation: Côte Rôtie
- Winemaker: Guy Sarton du Jonchay
- Sustainability: Sustainable Practices
- Soil: Gneiss, silica, micaschist, iron, clay
- Yield: 37 hl/ha
- Alcohol: >14%
- Avg Production: 3350 cases
- Sizes Available: 750ml
- Pack Size: 6/750ml
- Varietals: 95% Syrah, 5% Viognier
Recent Press
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Score: 92 Points
Vinous Author: Josh Raynolds
Date: Thursday, September 19, 2019"Dark violet. A highly perfumed, complex bouquet evokes dark fruit preserves, smoky minerals and pungent flowers, along with olive and licorice accents. Stains the palate with sappy, spice-tinged black and blue fruit flavors given lift by a spine of zesty acidity. Clings with strong tenacity on the sweet, floral-accented finish, which is shaped by velvety, slow-building tannins."
