Cuvée Brigand Rouge is a gourmet, convivial wine perfect for impromptu occasions with it be just drinks or a meal with family or friends. Most definitely a wine that creates wonderful moments and great memories!
Presentation
Presentation
Cuvée Brigand Rouge was originally named "Rouge Gorge." Why? Because it's a singing, festive, convivial red. When however it came to registering the name, a certain large UK supermarket chain had beat us to it and already registered the name! Not to be deterred and as we adore our mischievous little red robin we settled on the name "Le Brigand" and we will continue to whistle a merry tune with our resident robin
The vintage
2020 was a year of glorious sunshine with the occasional storms resulting in a super harvest packed with delicious ripe fruit.
Location
Domaine Chardon Bleu is situated in La Drome Provencale (Central Rhone Valley) and the extreme east of the appellation Grignan les Adhémar.
The vines used to vinify the Roche N'Roll cuvée, which are around forty years old, are planted at La Roche Saint Secret, in the district called "L'Adret
The vines used to vinify the Roche N'Roll cuvée, which are around forty years old, are planted at La Roche Saint Secret, in the district called "L'Adret
Terroir
The vines from which the grapes for this particular cuvee come from are planted on clay-limestone soil on the lower slopes with a slight altitude of between 300 and 400m facing due south
In the vineyard
The tillage (working of the soil) is mechanical. Every one in two rows of vines Manu leaves grass to grow and he plants cover crops...this assisting in limiting erosion and naturally enriching the soil.
The treatments used on the soils are La bouillie bordelaise (a fungicide based on copper sulphate and lime) help combat diseases caused by fungi such as late blight,
The maturity of the grapes is assessed by regular sampling and the date of the harvest is reached collectively in accordance with the results of the analysis, The so-called "optimal maturity" point is defined by comparing the sugar level, the probable alcohol level and the acidity of the grapes.
The treatments used on the soils are La bouillie bordelaise (a fungicide based on copper sulphate and lime) help combat diseases caused by fungi such as late blight,
The maturity of the grapes is assessed by regular sampling and the date of the harvest is reached collectively in accordance with the results of the analysis, The so-called "optimal maturity" point is defined by comparing the sugar level, the probable alcohol level and the acidity of the grapes.
Harvest
25/09/20
Winemaking
Once the grapes used to make the red wines have been harvested they are placed directly into stainless steel tanks.We then perform two "pump-overs" a day during during a maceration process that takes between three to four weeks
At the end of the alcoholic fermentation we press the grapes and then separate the juice from the pressed grapes and the free running juice allowing for greater freedoom in the blend
The following February, after clarification and filtration of the juice is completed we begin assembling our cuvées
As is the case with all our cuvées, we vinify this wine with the least amount of sulphites possible.
At the end of the alcoholic fermentation we press the grapes and then separate the juice from the pressed grapes and the free running juice allowing for greater freedoom in the blend
The following February, after clarification and filtration of the juice is completed we begin assembling our cuvées
As is the case with all our cuvées, we vinify this wine with the least amount of sulphites possible.
Ageing
This particular cuvée is usually bottled in March and after a brief period during which the wine is allowed to settle it is available from May
Varietals
Grenache noir : 60%
Syrah : 40%
Syrah : 40%
Specifications
Alcohol content : 13.5 % vol.
Production volume : 7500 bouteilles
Residual Sugar : <2 g/l
pH : 3.77
Contains sulphites. Does not contain egg or egg products. Does not contain milk or milk-based products.
Advice
Serving
Cuvée Brigand Rouge can be served slightly chilled during the summer months and between 12-14 degrees during the autumn winter spring months
Ageing potential
5 years
Tasting
Jam packed with delicious ripe black fruit flavours that leave a very warm feeling on the palate
Visual appearance
This cuvée displays a very delicate ruby colour with purple reflections.
At nose
The nose is engaging and very expressive with blackberries and black cherries being the most prominent aromas.
On the palate
First taste this a wonderfully uncomplicated, easy drinking that evolves into a crunchy fruit driven mid-palate . The structure is silky smooth wrapping itself around palate in a mot agreeable and comforting way.
Food pairings
Frank and direct this wine calls for dishes that are simple and convivial like barbecued beef skewers marinaded in garlic thyme and a dash of Worcestershire sauce
Perfect accompaniment to a variety of tapas dishes whether it be caramelised pork belly, cod fritters, lamb meatballs
Perfect accompaniment to a variety of tapas dishes whether it be caramelised pork belly, cod fritters, lamb meatballs
Recipes
Fricassée de volaille aux légumes de saison.
Reviews
"Pourquoi ?
Pour mettre « un peu de soleil dans l’eau froide » (n’en déplaise aux amateurs de romans de Françoise Sagan) et prendre quelques précieux rayons de soleil méditerranéens au cœur de l’hiver. Parce que ce rouge croquant de fruit et d’énergie appelle immédiatement copains, apéro et belle soirée ensemble. Et surtout parce que c’est délicieux ! (extrait dégustation millésime 2017 en février 2018)" [+]
Pour mettre « un peu de soleil dans l’eau froide » (n’en déplaise aux amateurs de romans de Françoise Sagan) et prendre quelques précieux rayons de soleil méditerranéens au cœur de l’hiver. Parce que ce rouge croquant de fruit et d’énergie appelle immédiatement copains, apéro et belle soirée ensemble. Et surtout parce que c’est délicieux ! (extrait dégustation millésime 2017 en février 2018)" [+]
