Notes from the Winemaker:
Between blackcurrant and tapenade, Terre d’Argile offers concentrated flavors, reminiscences of its famous neighbor. Dense and meaty, the mouth reveals deep and sweet ripe fruits on a persistent finish, which suggests a few good years of cellar aging. Serve within ten years on lamb chops.
Location: At a stone’s throw from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this wine comes from the beautiful land of pebbles and red clay north of the city of Courthézon.
Vineyard: The vines are grown without pesticides or insecticides and manure is natural. The land is worked without herbicide to maintain ventilation and flexibility to the soil. Yield of 46 hl/ha. Syrahs and mourvèdres benefit from a very important green harvest.
Ageing process: 75% in barrels (1/3 new) for syrahs and mourvèdres and 25% in big barrels (“foudres”) for grenaches during 12 mois.
90 Points - Vinous Media:
"Dark ruby. Deep-pitched dark fruit aromas are complicated by suggestions of woodsmoke and licorice. Chewy and gently sweet on the palate, offering ripe black raspberry and boysenberry flavors and a touch of lavender. Structured and quite serious for the category, finishing with very good thrust, firming tannins and an echo of juicy dark berries." - Josh Raynolds (Jun 2016)
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"Since there was no Côtes du Rhône Les Garrigues in the vintage, the 2013 Côtes du Rhône Villages Terre d'Argile got the grapes that are normally designated for that cuvée. A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre raised in foudre, it offers lots of black cherries, crushed violets, loamy earth and pepper on the nose. Medium-bodied, elegant, and seamless with fine tannin, it's a rock solid Côtes du Rhône." - Jeb Dunnuck (Oct 2015)
Wine Spectator Magazine:
"This has a slightly soft, plump feel, with plum sauce and raspberry coulis notes that glide along, carried by melted red licorice and warmed fruitcake hints. A crowd-pleaser. Drink now. 1,200 cases imported." - JM (Oct 31, 2015)
