The Olivaie

The Olivaie is a generous and full-bodied wine. You cannot escape from this wine. It is one of the greatest wines from the Estate and from the whole Appellation.

WINE APPELLATION : SAINT-JOSEPH

CUVEE : OLIVAIE

GRAPE : 100 % Syrah (or Shiraz)

YIELDING : 32 hl/ha. Grapes from old vines.

TERROIR : Granitic soil not so deep.

EXPOSURE : South, south-east facing vineyards on steep slopes.

CULTIVATION : Viticulture work done by hand. Mechanization not possible. Treatments done on men’s back. High specific density of plantation: 8500 plants/ha or (3400 plants/acre). Goblet pruning.

HARVEST : Selective harvest done by hand and full crop brought to our winery in wooden tubs of 40 kg.

VINIFICATION : Second sorting when arriving at the winery. The grapes are destemmed. Maceration and fermentation are done in open vats during 18 days punching the cap twice a day. Ageing in oak barrels for 15 months (15 % of new oak barrels).

TASTING NOTE : Very dark crimson colour with purple reflections. Concentrated nose, red fruit, spicy. In the mouth length and power with silky tannins completed by a very well balanced structure. This rich and velvety wine will reveal great aromas within a few years.

WINE PAIRING : The Chef and the sommelier from the restaurant l’Amphitryon in Lorient (Morbihan), suggest that you treat yourself with “small hare tournedos, accompanied by crystallized quinces and endives at the ventrêche mode”.