La Douzième 2005 / 2006

Our award-winning Syrah/Viognier.

12.5% ALCOHOL
SYRAH 95% VIOGNIER 5%

Yields of an average 35 hectolitres per hectare from 18- 25 year old vines.

Harvested early September, immediately destemmed, and fermented slowly at low temperatures. The viognier is fermented at the same time and not separately.
A selection from the younger vines is vinified using the carbonic maceration technique.
The different elements are blended to achieve the right balance before a twelve month maturation in new and used oak demi muids is undertaken.

 

 

What the Critics Say...

Gilbert & Gaillard on La Douzième 2006:

"Deeply-coloured. Open nose of jammy red and black fruits with spicy undertones. Full, powerful palate. Melted stuffing with archetypal, refined fragrances that linger on and on. The finish is enriched with peppery notes and undergrowth. A successful effort. 93/100"

 

About the name...

This cuvée is my homage to what I consider to be the greatest wine in the world The Cote Rotie. It is sometimes made with a small percentage of Viognier a white grape variety. They are picked at the same time and vinified together. I always do this. So why LA DOUZIÈME?

It is a bit of a crossword clue. Eve was created from Adam’s rib (his twelfth) and the French for rib is cote for Cote Rotie and La Douzième is the twelfth in French.
Anyway, find me 5 wine labels with a Z on them (Zinfadel does not count).