Syrah Entrevon VdF 2019

Slightly transparent violet in the glass. A profound Syrah from the Ventoux that holds maturity and freshness in balance: powerful in its presence, yet elegant, juicy and fleshy. As young as it is, it needs air.

The Entrevon plot lies in Malaucène at 350 meters on the northern slope of Mont Ventoux. The rock dates from the third period of the Miocene, the soils are sandy. In 2003, Philippe Gimel found twelve hectares of old vines here, without a cellar or infrastructure; today he farms just over 16 hectares, 12.5 of which are under vine. Wild herbs grow between the rows, hedges and fruit trees line the plots, and yields are around 20 hectoliters per hectare.

Single-varietal Syrah, hand-harvested and 90 percent destemmed. Twelve days of fermentation in concrete tank, followed by eleven months of aging in stainless steel and nine months in bottle. No oak is used. 1,581 bottles, 13.5% Vol.

The nose combines yeasty notes and fruit, reminiscent of fresh plum cake; with air it becomes fleshy and dark-fruited, with cassis, cherries, dark chocolate and black olive tapenade, along with aged beef. On the palate, lively acidity meets warm, dark fruit: forest fruit, plum, cassis, a few cherries, peat and violet. The tannin already appears fine-grained in places while retaining a firm side.

With estouffade d'agneau, with squid stuffed with chard and olives, or vegetarian with broad beans, artichokes and black olive tapenade.

Philippe Gimel abandoned his pharmacy studies to become an oenologist and chose his vineyards together with geologist Claude Bourguignon. He separates his grapes not by plot, but by berry size.