Country: France

Characteristics: This wine is a blend from 3 different terroirs : L'Ermite, le Sabot, and the famed plot, les Bessards. Average production: 30,000 bottles (75 cl.) per year. Grape Variety: 100% Syrah

Wine Making: All grapes of the cuvée "Domaine des Tourettes" are picked by hand, according to appropriate ripening in each terroir. Fermentation takes place in traditional open-topped concrete tanks, after 2 days pre-fermentary skin contact at cool temperatures. Maceration continues at controlled temperatures of 82°F and 86°F (28°C to 30°C). Daily cap pushing down and pumping over are carried out for about 10 days, with a total vatting period up to 20 days. After devatting and pressing, the malolactic fermentation is carried out in oak barrels.

Maturing: Maturation is done in French oak barrels. On each vintage, the notes of wood are the result of precise and variable proportion between new barrels and barrels which have already held one wine, and it is adapted according to each vintage tannic & tasting characteristics.

Tasting notes: The colour shows brilliant, deep red hues. The nose is powerful and complex, expressing blackberries, spices and leather. On the palate, "Domaine des Tourettes" is fi rm but silky, with a tightly-knit tannic structure that is the hallmark of wines that have a great future.

Food and wine pairing: Red meats, rare or medium cooked - games, marinated meats, spicy stews. The bottles should be opened 1 to 3 hours before drinking.

Varietal: Syrah