AOC. Còte-Rôtie (Northern Rhône), France - 100% Syrah from the lieu-dit “Montmain” of 2.5 Ha and slope of 35-40º with decomposed shale soils with a high content of mica and iron. The destemmed grapes ferment in concrete tanks with pump-overs and pigeages as needed. Aged for 12 to 14 months in different 228 l oak barrels. of different uses and ages. It has a nice cherry color. On the nose has high intensity with a wide and well-defined aromatic palette with notes of blackberries, prunes, hot raspberry mixed on the nose, some floral tones of violets and black olives. On the palate is intense, has medium structure, silky texture, with very subtle mineral notes, velvety tannins and a long aftertaste. It's amazing be able to access to Côte-Rôtie, the most noble terroir for this variety, at a price well below the usual for wines of this appellation. Recommended by The Sommelier.
PARPETTE ET FILS CÔTE-RÔTIE MONTMAIN 2018
Cédric Parpette is a small vigneron located in the village of Verenay north of the prestigious Côte Rôtie appellation of origin. 25 years ago, Cédric Parpette knew practically nothing about wine or viticulture, he was a car bodybuilder who fell in love with his current wife Christelle Fernández. His father-in-law, Réné Fernandez, was the owner of a 3-hectare vineyard plot on the incredibly steep, iron oxide-rich and hard shale rock soils of the Montmains site above the village of Verenay. Réné had planted the vineyard in 1986 with the lower part planted with more commercial clones and the upper part planted (more by luck than deliberate intention) with the unique local mutation of Syrah known as the “Sérine”, whose oval shaped berries- Olive trees have adapted over the millennia to this harsh environment. The “Sérine” is famous for its higher tone of acidity which, when combined with the maturity of the intense sun, the cooling winds of the northern Mistral and the incredibly poor bedrock soils produce a full-bodied wine of remarkable delicacy and finesse, full of savory aromas / flavors and minerals with low alcohol levels, a combination that makes it unique on the world stage.
Réné sold most of his grapes to Guigal, the commercial giant and standard-bearer for the region as a whole, keeping approximately 20% of the grapes to make his own wine that he sold under his own label. As he grew older and childless, he turned to his sturdy son-in-law Cédric to see if he had any interest in continuing the legacy of his work. Cédric worked the harvest and winemaking with his father-in-law and decided to study oenology for a year and a half to take over the reins of the winery.
One of the first things Cédric did in 1996 was to buy 6 Ha of an unplanted vineyard at the Plomb site, a site of slightly higher elevation that is in fact a flat plateau (opposite 60-70 degree slopes of the Montmains).
In 2004 Cédric took over the reins of the winery, the wines have improved year after year and the Côte-Rôtie Montmain increasingly seduces fans and sommeliers with Michelin stars for the quality it offers compared to its price. Behind this success is Cédric's refreshing and honest approach to the unadulterated style of home and high-quality vineyard work.
The 2018 vintage was characterized by a rainy winter followed by mild weather in early spring, which kept the growing season proceeding at a normal pace. Water reserves in the vineyards recovered after the 2017 drought, and budding and flowering went smoothly, setting the stage for a great harvest throughout the valley. June was rainy which caused some scattered mildew, which was quickly and relatively easily treated. Then the summer turned hot and dry, and those conditions continued until September, allowing an early harvest of perfectly ripe fruit, with moderate tannins and notable acidity levels that in many cases ran in line with 2016. Many growers of Côte-Rôtie agree that the 2018 vintage combines the richness of 2017 with the freshness and energy of 2016. Thanks to this balance and freshness, they are drunk well from a young age, although the potential for evolution and aging of these wines is outstanding.
Parpette Côte-Rôtie Montmain 2018 is 100% Syrah from the lieu-dit “Montmain” of 2.5 Ha and slope of 35-40º with decomposed shale soils with a high content of mica and iron. The destemmed grapes ferment in concrete tanks with pump-overs and pigeages as needed. Aged for 12 to 14 months in different 228 l oak barrels. of different uses and ages.
Parpette Côte-Rôtie Montmain 2018 has a nice cherry color. On the nose the intensity is high with a wide and well-defined aromatic palette with notes of blackberries, prunes, hot raspberry mixed on the nose, some floral tones of violets and black olives. On the palate it is intense, has a medium structure, a silky texture, with very subtle mineral notes, pleasant tannins and a long aftertaste. It is a gem to be able to access a Côte-Rôtie, the most noble terroir for this variety, at a price well below the usual for wines of this appellation.
Production: 6,000 bottles. 13% Alc.
Optimal consumption: 2020-2030.
Pairing: meat grills, hair and feather game, all kinds of stews, offal, cured cheeses or English Cheddar type.
