The visit of Domaine Les Bruyères in Beaumont-Monteux, with owner/ winemaker David Reynaud, was the last stop in the Northern Rhône. After the visit of Domaine Les Bruyères in Beaumont-Monteux we drove to Domaine de Cabasse, Séguret, Southern Rhône, where we stayed 2 nights.
At Domaine Les Bruyères, owner/ winemaker David Reynaudwas our host. We started the visit in the vineyard, toured then the modern, impressive winemaking facilities and ended the visit with a portfolio tasting of David's wines.
Domaine Les Bruyères
Domaine Les Bruyères has been in the Reynaud family since the 18th century. In 1955, Georges Reynaud planted vines on a gentle slope along the Isère River – a Rhône tributary - in the southern sector of the Crozes-Hermitage appellation. The grapes were sold to the cooperative.
In 2003 George’s grandson David took over. He constructed modern wine making facilities, and produced his first vintage. He also bought new vineyards. Before his ownership in 2003 David already controlled the domaine and had started to farm organically, so the domaine was certified by Ecocert the same year as his first harvest. He then converted slowly to biodynamic principles and Domaine Les Bruyères received its Biodyvin certification in 2005.
The domaine is made up of 14.5 hectares in Crozes-Hermitage, and an additional 5.5 hectares in local villages amongst the Rhone hills. The vines grown in the domaine are aged between 20 - 50 years, of which 87% is made up of Syrah. Reynaud also has small plantations of Marsanne, Roussanne, Merlot and Viognier. The soil of his Crozes-Hermitage vineyards is characterised by a clay and alluvial pudding stone top-soil with a chalky limestone sub-soil, with good natural ground drainage from the pudding stones. Reynaud, maintains low yields of 35 hl/ha across the Domaine and in a remarkably short time he has gained the attention of the wine press not only in France but around the world. One taste and you will understand why !!
The Wines we Tasted
We tasted 7 wines, 4 reds and 3 whites.
2017 Domaine Les Bruyeres - David Reynaud, Les Monestiers, Syrah, IGP des Collines Rhodaniennes
2016 Domaine Les Bruyeres - David Reynaud, Crozes-Hermitage Rouge ‘Georges Reynaud’
100% Syrah from vines with average age of 20 years. Vinified in cement cuve with cuvaison up to 32 days and very gentle pressing in a vertical press. Elevage on fine lees for 12 months in barrel (none new) then for 6-7 months in cement cuve before bottling.
Wine Advocate (2015 vintage): The 2015 Crozes Hermitage Georges aged in a mix of tank and older barrels. Unlike many 2015s, it's floral and aromatic, with hints of violets adding nuance to ripe blueberry and raspberry fruit. The tannins are silky and fine, making this wine eminently drinkable now and over the next 6-7 years.
2016 Domaine Les Bruyeres - David Reynaud, Crozes-Hermitage Rouge "Les Croix" Vielles Vignes
100% Old Vine Syrah. Plum/purple color that carries incense, barbecue smoke, roasted meat and blackberry characteristics. The tannins are sweet and a full-bodied, rich mouthfeel.
The Wine Advocate (2015 vintage): Deliciously ripe, with lots of crushed boysenberry and raspberry fruit flavors pumping along. Bright red licorice and sweet spice notes course underneath. The finish is rich, but with a violet accent for freshness. Drink now through 2023. 1,000 cases made.
2016 Domaine Les Bruyeres - David Reynaud, Entre Ciel et Terre, Vin de France
Cuvée issu du cépage Syrah (100%) de vignes âgées de plus de 55 ans. Cette cuvée est uniquement produite dans les très grandes années de la vallée du Rhône et à seulement 2000 bouteilles.
David n'a pas reçu l'agrément pour cette cuvée sans souffre en raison d'un taux de volatile au dessus de la norme de l'appellation Crozes-Hermitage mais dans les normes de nombreuses autres appellation du Rhône. Il rejoint donc ainsi des vignerons comme Thierry Allemand ou Didier Barral.
2017 Domaine Les Bruyeres - David Reynaud, Les Monestiers, Viognier, IGP des Collines Rhodaniennes
This lovely Rhone white is 100% Viognier from 17 year old vines. The wine is manually harvested and is 100% desteemed. The wine is vinified and spends 8 month in stainless steal tanks before bottling.
2017 Domaine Les Bruyeres - David Reynaud, Les Petites Bêtises, IGP des Collines Rhodaniennes
Une majorité de Marsanne réhaussée d'un trait de Roussanne pour un Blanc élevé en oeufs béton. Une très belle réussite qui mettra tout le monde d'accord.
2017 Domaine Les Bruyeres - David Reynaud, Crozes Hermitage Blanc "Aux Betises d'Eloise"
55% Marsanne, 45% Roussane. The nose is very intense and very rich, expressing notes of wax, incense, white fruit jam, anise, menthol and apricot. The palate is sappy and very long, very dense, with a magnificent final quince jelly and old rose.
Bye-bye
We left the Northern Rhône and drove to the Southern Rhône.
We stayed 2 nights at Domaine de Cabasse, Séguret, Southern Rhône.
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