Another of the vast Vinsobres repertoire, this wine comes from a plot with 90 year old vines co-planted with Grenache and Syrah.
Presentation
Presentation
Vinsobres is one of the most beautiful Crus in the Southern Rhône.
The vintage
This 2017 vintage will be remembered as the year of all records: the driest year in 30 years, non-interventionist vineyard work, optimal harvest conditions, a very small yield due to climatic hazards, and wines with very rich potential.
Location
The vineyard is located 40 km north of Châteauneuf-du-Pape at an altitude of 300m benefiting from a cool climate, perfect for Syrah. Les Hauts de Julien is made with grapes from an old plot of vines (around 90 years old) co-planted in Syrah and Grenache.
Terroir
Quaternary alluvial stones on terraces.
Ageing
The crop is harvested manually. Upon arrival in the cellars, the grapes are sorted, destemmed and vatted in oak casks. After maceration, fermentation starts and extraction is done by punching down and pumping over. Before the end of the alcoholic fermentation, the juices are drained into French oak barrels where they finish fermenting and remain to age for a year and a half.
Varietals
Grenache
Syrah
Syrah
Advice
Serving
17°C.
Tasting
The 2017 vintage reveals a complex nose, with notes of black fruit (blackberry, black cherry), red fruit (raspberry), crunchy notes, cocoa, and sweet spices. This wine oozes elegant tannins, rich and finely chiselled, nice balance with a mineral tightness that gives a lot of persistence.
Reviews
"Consistently one of the gems of the Southern Rhône, I always feel the 2017 Vinsobres Les Hauts de Julien has a slightly Northern Rhône-like style. Cassis, black cherries, violets, spring flowers, and menthol notes all emerge from this deep purple-colored beauty. Medium to full-bodied, ripe, and opulent on the palate, it has ripe, polished tannin, a layered texture and gorgeous purity."
"“Like the les Cornuds bottling, the 2017 Vinsobres Les Hauts de Julien is a 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah. It’s co-fermented, then divided into foudre and barrels for aging (half in each). With its toasted coconut and cocoa aromas, it comes across as a bit exotic, but it adds plenty of mixed berry fruit and hints of dried spices. There are only 5,000 bottles of this full-bodied, richly textured wine for the world, so fans will have to move fast to secure some once it’s released. 2020-2030.”"
