Wine Region: Bordeaux - France

Grape: 100% Merlot | Organic / Biodynamic (uncertified)

Tasting notes: 

Rose-Marie is produced from a single merlot variety, by "saignée" in a fermentation vat. Fermentation takes place in used barrels without any additives. The wine is then dynamised for 6 to 8 months and bottled without the addition of sulphur dioxide. This is a completely natural wine.

Its robe can vary greatly from one year to another, from a light to very light or even transparent ruby. The nose expresses aromas of red berries and white or pale flowers such as peony.

Its palate is light and smooth with a barely noticeable hint of fine tannins.

Winemaker notes:Rose-Marie is obtained by running off juice from one of the vats of Merlot during the fermentation process, a practice known as « La Saignée » (The Bleeding). The juice is then fermented in barrels for 6 to 10 months, with no added substances. The Clairet is then bottled without filtering and without sulfites: it is completely natural.

The robe can vary greatly from one year to the next, from sparkling ruby to crisp, clear rose. The nose is fresh and floral, with red fruit aromas alongside notes of peonies and white flowers. On the palate Rose-Marie is light and playful, with tannins so light they are barely detectable. A wonderful clairet, or Bordeaux rose.' - Chateau Le Puy

How to Enjoy: There is real complexity here thanks to a savoury, richly red-berried character and a hint of tannin. A rosé that almost demands the merest of chills and something brilliant to eat. With oriental dishes, rice with meat, complex salads, pasta with meat sauce.

About the winery: Owned by the Amoreau family since 1610, Le Puy overlooks the Dordogne valley on the same geological plateau as Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, once called the ‘Plateau of Wonders’. Le Puy was originally built at the beginning of the 17th century and later extended in 1832 by Barthélémy Amoreau. 

There are 35 hectares of vines spread over three plots with soils made of clay, limestone and silica. It’s quite common to find some sharpened flints between the vines as some parts used to be battlefields in medieval times. The soil type varies but is principally a mix of clay, silex and limestone, with very high acidity levels. 

The average age of the vines is 50 years and no synthetic treatments have ever been used at the estate, which is certified biodynamic. Harvest is manual, the grapes are entirely destemmed and the cuvaison is long, continuing for two to four weeks. The “elevage” of the Le Puy wines is done according to the lunar rhythm. The wines are neither fine nor filtered before bottling. Jean-Pierre Amoreau and his son, Pascal, oversee the vineyards and vinification.

 More about Chateau Le Puy here...