Domaine Peyre Rose : Les Cistes 2015

Tasting characteristics and advice for Les Cistes 2015 from Domaine Peyre Rose

Tasting

Color

The color displays a dark garnet hue, almost black.

Nose

The bouquet reveals an exceptionally rich aromatic palette. Aromas of blackcurrant, black raspberry and cherry jam emerge first. After aeration, smoky, ashy notes take over, accompanied by delicate floral touches. The nose then evolves toward scents of Mediterranean maquis with thyme and bay leaf, complemented by licorice, spices, black olives, forest floor and mocha.

Palate

The tannic structure is remarkably powerful on the attack. After proper aeration, the tannic framework becomes silkier. The balance between intensity and aromatic freshness is remarkable. The finish shows a distinctive bitterness lifted by peppery notes, with exceptional aromatic persistence.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs perfectly with a roasted leg of lamb served with prunes and almonds. It also accompanies, with elegance, cooked pressed cheeses such as Beaufort, Pécorino or Emmental, as well as uncooked pressed 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 to allow the wine to fully express its aromatic complexity and soften its tannins. The ideal serving temperature is 17°C. This wine offers outstanding aging potential and can be enjoyed from around 2026, with a peak expected around 2038, remaining excellent through about 2044.

A powerful and complex Vin de France

The estate

Marlène Soria founded the Domaine Peyre Rose during the 1980s, clearing the garrigue of Saint-Pargoire, in the Hérault, to plant vines. Located between Béziers and Montpellier, the estate now covers about 25 hectares. Nicknamed “the Diva of Syrah,” Marlène Soria has farmed organically from the outset and practices a unique aging regime of at least ten years before release. Internationally recognized as early as 1990 by Robert Parker, she received the “Man of the Year” award from La Revue du Vin de France in 1994. The estate is rated 3 stars by the Revue du Vin de France and 4 stars by Bettane & Desseauve.

The vineyard

Les Cistes comes from the parcel located on the upper slopes of the estate, planted on very hard stony soils. This particular location gives this Vin de France higher acidity compared with the estate’s other cuvées, which come from more friable rocks. The vineyard benefits from an ideal Mediterranean climate, with rolling land made up of clay-limestone soils and hard stones. The cuvée takes its name from the Cistus, a typical Mediterranean shrub that flowers in spring and whose bloom adorns the label.

Winemaking and aging

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

Grape varieties

90% Syrah and 10% Grenache Noir