Pique Basse

Southern Rhône, France
Pique Basses L'Histoire
Pique Basses Lay of Land

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Olivier Tropet’s vines grown in the tiniest Côtes-du-Rhône Village appellation, Roaix, are as soulful as they are impressive. Just northeast of Rasteau and north of Gigondas, his organic certified and Demeter certified (2022) vineyards grow on a large, freestanding hill with vines terraced up to 350m. The pinnacle has sedimentary deposits of limestone and marl with eroded limestone (now fine white sands) and limestone-rich clays, and further toward the bottom lie coarser and heavier clays and river alluvium. The grapes are hand-harvested, the fermentations natural and without stems, and the aging is done mostly in 500l French oak barrels and concrete vats. La Brusquembille is a blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Carignan, and Le Chasse-Coeur, 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Carignan. Olivier also makes small quantities of a Roaix white made of pure Grenache Blanc that stands out in the whole of the south of France for its lift, tension and mineral potency.

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Le Chasse-Coeur Rouge

Pique Basse - 2019 Cotes du Rhone Village, Le Chasse-Coeur Rouge

Price: $22.00
Size: 750ml
Availability: 

24+ in stock

Type of Wine: Red
Grape(s): 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Carignan
Style: Mineral, Rich
SKU: DPBCC19 Category: Tags: , , Click to see what states we ship to
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GROWER OVERVIEW

Olivier Tropet’s vines grown in the tiniest Côtes-du-Rhône Village appellation, Roaix, are as soulful as they are impressive. Just northeast of Rasteau and north of Gigondas, his organic certified and Demeter certified (2022) vineyards grow on a large, freestanding hill with vines terraced up to 350m. The pinnacle has sedimentary deposits of limestone and marl with eroded limestone (now fine white sands) and limestone-rich clays, and further toward the bottom lie coarser and heavier clays and river alluvium. The grapes are hand-harvested, the fermentations natural and without stems, and the aging is done mostly in 500l French oak barrels and concrete vats. La Brusquembille is a blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Carignan, and Le Chasse-Coeur, 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Carignan. Olivier also makes small quantities of a Roaix white made of pure Grenache Blanc that stands out in the whole of the south of France for its lift, tension and mineral potency.

VINEYARD DETAILS

Le Chasse-Coeur is 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Carignan grown on fully exposed flat terraces at 180m on limestone-rich clay, silt and sand.

CELLAR NOTES

Hand harvest, zero stem inclusion, natural ferment 20 days.

About The Wine

While Olivier makes a big range of wines his entry-level reds are simply dynamite and nearly impossible to beat for the price and sophistication. This wine is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Carignan grown on the lower slope terraces of river alluvium, sand and limestone-rich clay. The fermentation is natural with no stems included, followed by stainless steel and cement aging for eight months before bottling; no wood is used in this cuvée because Grenache has a tendency to easily oxidize. These aging vessels are perfect (but slightly different in result) for preserving its higher tones, which are many.

The acidity is fresh in this highly focused, red-fruited wine, with the Grenache on full display and seemingly not phased by the 20% of other grapes. Grenache is a noble grape and can carry tremendous pleasure and finesse when not burned out by the sun from too much time on the vine. The clay soils also help to preserve the freshness of this savory wine that was made for food, or a cold night on the patio.

Other Pique Basse Wines

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