Domaine Peyre Rose : Les Cistes 2015

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for Peyre Rose Les Cistes 2015

Tasting

Appearance

The wine shows a deep garnet hue, almost black.

Nose

The bouquet unveils a remarkably rich aromatic palette. Aromas of blackcurrant, black raspberry and cherry jam come to the fore first. With aeration, smoky and ashy notes take over, accompanied by delicate floral touches. The nose then evolves towards Mediterranean scrubland scents of thyme and bay leaf, complemented by liquorice, spices, black olives, forest floor and mocha.

Palate

The tannic structure is strikingly powerful on the attack. With proper aeration, the tannic framework gains in silkiness. The balance between intensity and aromatic freshness is remarkable. The finish shows a characteristic bitterness enhanced by peppery notes, with exceptional aromatic persistence.

Food and Wine Pairing

This wine pairs beautifully with roast leg of lamb served with prunes and almonds. It also elegantly accompanies hard cooked-curd cheeses such as Beaufort, Pecorino or Emmental, as well as hard uncooked-curd cheeses such as Cantal, Gouda, Saint-Nectaire or Ossau-Iraty.

Serving and Cellaring

It is strongly recommended to decant Les Cistes 2015 for an extended period, allowing the wine to fully express its aromatic complexity and soften its tannins. The ideal serving temperature is 17°C. This wine has exceptional ageing potential and can be enjoyed from around 2026, with a peak expected around 2038, remaining excellent until about 2044.

A Powerful and Complex Vin de France

The Estate

Marlène Soria created Peyre Rose in the 1980s by clearing the garrigue to plant vines. The estate now covers approximately 25 hectares. Nicknamed "the Diva of Syrah", Marlène Soria has run her estate organically from the outset and follows a unique ageing regime of at least ten years before release. Internationally recognised by Robert Parker as early as 1990, she received the "Man of the Year" award from La Revue du Vin de France in 1994. The estate is rated 3 stars by La Revue du Vin de France and 4 stars by Bettane & Desseauve.

The Vineyard

Les Cistes comes from the plot located on the heights of the estate, planted on very hard, stony soils. This particular setting gives this Vin de France greater acidity compared with the estate's other cuvées, which come from more friable rock. The vineyard enjoys an ideal Mediterranean climate, with rolling land composed of clay-limestone soils and hard stones. The cuvée takes its name from the Cistus, a typical Mediterranean shrub that blooms in spring and whose flower adorns the label.

Winemaking and Ageing

The grapes for Les Cistes 2015 undergo partial destemming before fermentation, which takes place with indigenous yeasts in a minimal-intervention approach. Ageing is carried out mainly in tanks for around ten years, followed by additional bottle ageing before release.

Grape Varieties

90% Syrah and 10% Grenache Noir