Domaine des Ardoisières : Améthyste 2020

Characteristics and tasting tips for Améthyste 2020 from Domaine des Ardoisières

Tasting

Color

The color unveils a deep ruby hue with intense purple highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals a beautiful aromatic complexity with notes of red and black fruit, particularly redcurrant and blueberry. Spicy aromas of white pepper and juniper mingle with floral touches of peony and dried rose. The characteristic minerality of the mica-schist terroir brings an extra dimension with nuances of licorice.

Palate

On the palate, this wine is voluptuous and complex, offering a beautiful balance between power and finesse. The juicy texture reveals flavors of black cherry and red fruit, accompanied by notes of tobacco and licorice. The fine and supple tannins show beautiful phenolic maturity. The mineral finish, long and persistent, perfectly reflects the expression of the schist terroir.

Food and wine pairings

Améthyste 2020 is ideal with duck breast, particularly prepared with Espelette pepper or a cherry sauce. It also pairs very well with characterful Alpine cheeses such as Beaufort, roasted red meats, or game and mushroom dishes.

Service and storage

It is recommended to serve Améthyste 2020 at a temperature between 15 and 18°C. Decanting for one to two hours before serving will allow the wine to fully express its aromatic complexity. This wine can be enjoyed now but has aging potential until approximately 2030.

A high-altitude Savoie wine combining power and elegance

The estate

Domaine des Ardoisières was created in 1998 by Michel Grisard in Fréterive, in the Savoie region. This ambitious project aimed to resurrect vineyards abandoned for several decades on the slopes of Cevins and Saint-Pierre de Soucy. Since 2010, Brice Omont, an agricultural engineer, has directed the estate as the managing partner. The property now extends over approximately 24 hectares of dizzying terraced vines, cultivated according to biodynamic principles. The estate has established itself as an essential reference in Savoyard viticulture, recognized for the exceptional quality of its wines and its heroic work on slopes reaching up to a 60% gradient.

The vineyard

Améthyste 2020 comes from the Cevins slope, located in the Tarentaise Valley between Albertville and Moutiers. The vines are planted in goblet style on south-facing terraces with steep slopes. The mica-schist soil, poor and shallow with a silty-sandy texture, gives the wine its characteristic minerality. The planting density reaches 8,000 vines per hectare. The entire vineyard is managed using certified biodynamic agriculture, with exclusively manual work and the use of horses for certain operations. Yields are naturally limited to 25 hectoliters per hectare. This wine benefits from the IGP Vin des Allobroges.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Savoie presented contrasting weather conditions typical of Alpine viticulture. Despite the challenges linked to altitude and exposure, the grapes reached optimal maturity thanks to rigorous vineyard management according to the biodynamic calendar. The natural concentration of the berries, favored by low yields and the demanding terroir, resulted in grapes of exceptional quality.

Winemaking and aging

Améthyste 2020 was vinified with indigenous yeasts, respecting a natural winemaking approach. The grapes, harvested manually, were vinified as whole bunches. Maceration took place over two to three weeks, allowing for a gentle extraction of tannins and aromatic compounds. Aging continued for 18 months in oak barrels, favoring the integration of woody aromas and the development of the wine's complexity. Bottling was carried out without filtration, with minimal added sulfur.

Grape varieties

Persan (60%)
Mondeuse Noire (40%)