Laurus
Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2013

AOP Châteauneuf-Du-Pape Red

Awards

15/20 Bettane & Desseauve
92 pts Vinous
90 pts Wine Advocate

Tasting

“Deep ruby. Expressive, mineral-tinged aromas of red berry liqueur, cassis, garrigue and woodsmoke show a subtle emerging vanilla quality. Palate-caressing black raspberry and cherry-cola flavors are complemented by hints of allspice and candied flowers. Open-knit and seamless, with excellent finishing power; velvety tannins add shapeliness and gentle grip.” Josh Raynolds for Vinous Media. April 2016

Food & wine pairings

Duck aiguillettes with green pepper sauce
Angus prime rib steak

Detailed information

Vintage

In the Southern Rhône Valley, the Winter/Spring period was quite cold, with an unstable warm/cold phenomenon in the Spring. These conditions resulted in a very poor flowering for the Grenache and an important coulure”, or shatter, effect, resulting in a much smaller Grenache harvest than usual. The Syrah fared better and resulted in a normal crop.

Harvest took place between the 25^th September and 15^th October.

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Grape varieties

57% Grenache, 43% Syrah

Terroir

The Grenache grapes come from the sector of “La Crau”, a large quaternary terrace covered with large pebble stones, giving the wine structure and body.

The Syrah grapes are grown on clay-limestone soils from the Cretaceous period, bringing great elegance and finesse to the wine.

Winemaking

Entirely manual harvest. Grapes are de-stemmed and crushed. 3 weeks maceration period with regular punch-downs and rack & return (délestage) operations. 17 months elevage of the Syrah in 275-litre Laurus barrels (mix of one, two and three-year old barrels).

10 900 bottles produced
Bottled on 18th June 2015

Service

Serve at 14-16°C – Ideally open about 1 hour before serving

Optimum maturity: 2015 – 2021

Degree of alcohol

14,5% vol.

Technical sheet HD label HD Packshot

Laurus

Laurus means ‘Laurel’ in Latin, a Roman symbol of excellence. Here excellence is all about “terroir”: the grapes are grown on parcels selected for their ability to express the very best of each Appellation.

The term “terroir” encompasses a soil, a climate and people. Here it is expressed through sustainable partnerships with wine-growers who share our vision. The perfect combination of grape variey & soil, the precise maturing process in unique 275l. French oak "Laurus" barrels refines the structure, producing complex wines, with plenty of character, beautiful elegance and a long ageing potential.