TASTE BENCHMARKS | |||
Profile #1 Distinctive Style |
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Appearance | Bright garnet, varying from quite light to very dark. | ||
Aroma | Complex, multi-dimensional, with striking resemblance to Cotes d'Or grands crus. Floral elements include violets, lavendar and rose; bright red fruits: cranberry, pomegranate and plum; local drought-tolerant herb scents, including sage, bayleaf and thyme; spice elements including anise, cardamom and allspice; and complexing elements of seaweed and wet stone. | ||
Flavor | Supple but angular tannins which vary in concentration from site to site, very energetic flavors and pronounced minerally finish. | ||
Balance | Moderate alcohol and acidity. Wines of assertive character best appreciated as distinctive expressions of place. The bigger wines tend to have extraordinary longevity but tend to be closed in youth. | ||
PRODUCTION CORRELATIONS | |||
Oenological | Natural winemaking. Gravity feed. Whole clusters, 100% stems inclusion, native yeast. Aged on fine lees with minimum racking. No filtration. | ||
Viticultural | Same Cotes d'Or clone throughout (no Dijon clones). Plantings begun in 1975. Irrigation is practiced as necessary if water is available. Rootstocks vary. | ||
Terroir | All vineyards have limestone (paleozoic marble, aged 400 million years). Vineyards differ mostly in aspect and rockiness. Dry to very dry, so not much vintage variation in yield and concentration. |