DOMAINE DE LA SOLITUDE The Cellar

CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE BLANC 2001 CUVEE BARBERINI

CLASSIFICATION White wine - AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape PRODUCTION AREA Vines grown at our Domaine de la Solitude vineyards at Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The 2001 vintage was characterised by an excellent maturity. Grapes for the Cuvée Barberini come from a selection of the best parcels of our Domaine. AVERAGE YIELD 30 hectolitres per hectare SOIL COMPOSITION Rounded quartzite stones from the Villafranchian period conferring on this domaine one of the best terroirs of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. They absorb heat during the day then radiate it at night, ensuring full grape maturity is reached. GRAPE VARIETIES 95% Roussanne, 5% Grenache blanc CLIMATE Mediterranean, with mild winters, low rainfall and hot summers. The dominant wind is the Mistral. HARVEST By hand, at the appropriate time for each grape variety to be at full maturity. The grape bunches are then carefully sorted to remove any unwanted fruit. VINIFICATION The grapes are gently pressed in the style used for making Champagne, with the aid of pneumatic presses. Fermentation in new barrels at 20°C. The Malolactic fermentation is prevented. AGEING Ageing occurs in new barrels, on the fine lees with stiring, for a period of 10 months. The wine is then stabilised in bottles for 6 months before commercialisation. TASTING NOTES Delightful and lively light yellow colour, which will evolve to a light gold. The nose is fruity (citrus, apricot, pear) and floral (white flowers) with hints of exotic fruits (mango and passionfruit). On the mouth, the notes of flowers and fruits dominate, and in time will evolve toward hints of dried fruits (especially almonds). This wine is powerful, round and rich yet retains suppleness to be very elegant. SUGGESTED FOOD ASSOCIATIONS Best with a rich cuisine, pan-fried fois gras, grilled salmon, brandade of cod with truffles, hot pot with truffles, veal cutlets with mushrooms, pigeon in pea sauce. This wine is an excellent aperitif (when young) or an excellent accompaniment to goat's cheese (after some ageing). WINEMAKERS COMMENTS This wine may be enjoyed now, but a careful period of cellaring for a few years will allow a mellowing of the oak flavours and an optimal expression of the aromas associated with the terroir. Drink now through 2020. Service temperature: 10 to 12°C AVAILABILITY In bottles of 75 cl .Packed in cases of 6 bottles or alternatively in cases of 12 bottles

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	EARL DOMAINES PIERRE LANÇON
	Domaine de la Solitude - BP 21 84231 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cedex - France Tél. 04 90 83 71 45 Télécopie 04 90 83 51 34 e-mail: solitude@mnet.fr