Rouanne Rose Brut Nature 2023

Château Rouanne is a hidden jewel of the southern Rhône’s extraordinary Vinsobres cru. The northernmost of the southern Rhône crus, the Vinsobres appellation was only elevated to cru status in 2006. The proximity of the Alps creates a cool microclimate set within a warm, dry Mediterranean climate. Along with the Mistral wind, the Pontiac wind picks up cold air as it crosses the Alps and constantly cools the Eygues Valley beneath Château Rouanne. This allows the vines to ripen gradually, building aromatic and flavour complexity in the grapes and balancing acidity. The estate is home to a freshwater spring made up of limestone and sandy marl soils from the Pliocene, where the vines thrive. The vineyard was planted between 1955 and 1975 and is home to massal selections of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre, which provide substantial genetic diversity. The vines are farmed organically, and the grapes are hand-harvested.