VITICULTURE: The vineyards where the grapes in this wine are grown are north of the city of Orange, in the heart of the Vin de Pays. Clay-limestone terroir and small yields bring elegance and finesse to the wine. Exceptional climatic conditions allow the Grenache to fully express itself.
VINIFICATION: The grapes are harvested when the Grenache is at optimum ripeness, usually in September, and fully destemmed to enhance the fruit. Great care is taken to make sure the wine is balanced between fruit and tannins. After fermentation in concrete vats, the juice is kept in tanks for approximately six months’ ageing before release, in order to preserve the energy and freshness of the wine.
INTERESTING FACT: Old Grenache vines planted by careful producers in the best terroirs of the South of France bring the freshness and fruit-forward profile to this Grenache.
FAMILY: One of Châteauneuf’s most revered estates is centuries-old André Brunel, who has been in the region since the 17th century and has been making wine for five generations. Though originally named Domaine Les Cailloux by Lucien Brunel in 1954, its current name is after the fourth-generation owner, André Brunel. Under André’s leadership, the estate expanded rapidly, with vines in the Côtes du Rhône AOC as well as Vins de Pays. In 1971, after André took over, he launched Grenache-dominant Cuvée Centenaire, the estate’s top wine, which solidified André Brunel as a major player in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In addition, the family is leading the charge in the region for eco-friendly farming practices, eschewing chemicals at every turn. André’s son, Fabrice, is now at the helm of this pioneering estate, overseeing their three appellations.
Producer: André Brunel
Region: Vin de Pays de Méditerranée, Rhône Valley
Country: France
Wine Composition: 90% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre
Alcohol: 14.5%
Total Acidity: 2.98 G/L
Residual Sugar: 1.1 G/L
pH: 3.62