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NOUVELLES
DE BOISSET HARVESTS
FIRST
SEMESTER
2023

The Rhône

Valley

Gabriel Meffre
Véronique Torcolacci, Oenologist
The Weather. The year was marked by
drought and high temperatures. And two
“Cévennes” episodes during the harvest
(intense downpours lasting several days
risking flooding) prompted the worst fears!
The Domaine de Longue Toque harvest,
running from 29 August to 4 October. The
harvest began with the Syrah varieties in Côtes
Beaujolais du Rhône, Plan de Dieu and Cairanne. This
was followed by the white grape varieties in
two stages due to the rain. These were Syrah
The Weather. Rainfall in June was highly much colour as possible from the grapes that from the Montmirail and Vacqueyras terroirs,
variable from one area to another. In the south suffered the most from the drought. and Grenache from Vacqueyras. Gigondas and
of Beaujolais, where most of the Chardonnays The wines are beautifully concentrated with Cairanne came last.
are concentrated, there was little rain, unlike the a lovely volume in the mouth. Tannins are A vintage in the making. The reds already
north, where the crus are located. prominent. Tasting is a real pleasure. The nose have a wonderful roundness, a nice colour
The intense heat of July and August accelerated and palate reveal raspberry and cherry liqueur and plenty of body.
the ripening process for the Gamay grapes. The aromas, smooth blueberry cream accompanied The whites are extremely aromatic with a
harvest was characterised by great disparity by violets, dark chocolate and pear. lovely freshness.
between the plots. Some grapes did not withstand Château de Pierreux The Domaine Grand Escalion harvest,
these extreme conditions and lost a lot of juice, running from 23 August to 11 September.
while others resisted them exceptionally well. Alain Dugoujard, Vineyard Manager As a result of the hot weather in August,
Several factors explain these divisions such The harvest, running from 22 August to 10 harvesting began on the Romane plot, during
as the heavily drained soil, the exposure, and September. The estate’s 106 hectares were the night with the white grape varieties. This
the age and yield on the vine. There was little wonderfully consistent and the grapes were was followed by the reds, Grenache and
difference between the early and late sectors. healthy. The first week of harvesting took place Mourvèdre, which are used to blend our
under a blazing sun with temperatures of 40°C! rosés. The harvest ended with the Grenache
Mommessin The Gamays from the Midi vineyard were the first
Lydie Nesme, Viniculturist to be picked. The Chardonnays were harvested plots in Costières de Nîmes.
A vintage in the making. The rosés are
The harvest, running from 23 August to 10 in two batches in order to combine fresh and tinged with a pale yet bright pink hue. The
September. Volumes were lower throughout the fruity grapes with extremely ripe ones. Syrahs are intense in colour and are used
appellation, but the quality was good. The drought really affected this harvest. The in the red blends.
A vintage in the making. This year we have vines produced small, very ripe and concentrated
focused on de-stemming with long macerations bunches, a sign of quality but not quantity!
to enhance the wine’s elegance. Naturally, our A vintage in the making. Aromatic and
traditional semi-carbonated vinification with concentrated red and white wines. Probably
whole grapes is still used to extract the aromatic wines to be stored!
finesse of the Gamay grapes, as well as some
hot pre-fermentative maceration to extract as

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