GRANDE RÉSERVE
click on one of the vintages below for further information
Terroir
The vineyards of the Beaujolais region are very hilly. They are delimited on one side by the foothills of France’s Massif Central mountain range and overlook the Saône River’s floodplain between Mâcon and Lyon. Nestled at the foot of Mont Brouilly, Château de Pierreux is one of the most beautiful residences in the Beaujolais region.
Several centuries of history have shaped this ancient 13th-century fortified house of which two towers still stand today. The castle was renovated several times over the centuries. Its vaulted cellars date back to the 17th century while the current building was erected in the 19th century.
Château de Pierreux’s 110 hectares of vines are planted in shallow, well-drained pink granitic, schistous, and siliceous soils which contain deposits of blue porphyry from the volcanic eruptions of Mont Brouilly that date back millions of years.
The estate was certified High Environmental Value (HVE) in 2020.
The vineyard
Planting density: 10,000 vines/ha
Age of the vines: 83 years
Yields: between 18 and 25 hL, depending on the vintage.
Pruning: goblet
Work philosophy: Growing methods are decided upon vineyard by vineyard according to lutte raisonnée, an environmentally friendly approach. Everything is analysed in detail: risk of disease, the number of harmful and beneficial insects that can be found in each vineyard, the size and number of bunches of grapes per vine, problems with weeds, the health of the vines’ leaves, etc.
Working of the soil: de-earthing, scraping, hoeing between the vines.
This philosophy has 3 objectives:
- limiting the use of chemicals in the vineyards,
- re-establishing the vines’ physiological balance,
- protecting the environment.
Varietals
100% Gamay
Tasting
Colour: sustained purple.
Nose: very intense, it reveals subtle and varied perfumes. Strawberries aromas are wonderfully blended with blackberry and a note of toasted coffee complexifies this aromatic panel.
Palate: powerful and linear, the palate is supported by elegant tannins. Black fruits flavours invade our senses, long and supple finish with sensations of candied fruits.
Note that we also find the mineral aspect, typical of the Reserve of Pierreux, which complements and harmonizes the different perceived aromas.
Vinification and ageing
The grapes were small (millerandage) which gave us a fine quality to vinify. The low yield (25 hl/ha) gave us good concentration of sugars and polyphenols. The harvest was 100% de-stemmed and the fermentation lasted 26 days. Two over-pumpings were practiced daily and three delestages (full aeration) at the end of maceration. The wine was racked into tanks for 48 hours then run into 3 to 5-year old oak barrels. This cuvee was then aged on fine lees in the Chateau’s vaulted cellars for 12 months.
Ageing potential
5 to 10 years
Vintage : 2014
In early-year growth, the mild, dry Spring weather limited the vineyard development. A rainy Summer in early July brought good growth back to the vine and its grapes. After early–June flowering and late-July veraison, we were aware that there would be a low yield with small bunches. The grape harvest took place under bright sunshine and warm weather in mid-September giving us wines with relatively high degrees.