2023 Brotte Cotes du Rhone Esprit Barville Blanc, France

Description
The Brotte family’s winemaking know-how for Châteauneuf-du-Pape expresses itself in the production of this prestigious Côtes du Rhône. They are descendants of the Barville family who have lived and grown grapes in Châteauneuf-du-Pape since 1880. This is a great wine that shows character and elegance, and honors the historical grape varietal, king of the southern Rhône: Grenache. To get the best out of Grenache, sustainable viticulture is applied, with a strict winter pruning in order to limit the yield in favor of concentration. The Grenache is always hand-picked at good maturity.

Tasting notes
Color –Pale yellow with green hints.
Nose – Aromas of exotic fruits, white flowers and citrus fruits.
Palate – Wonderful complexity with notes of peach and apricot, this wine displays excellent freshness and length.

Food Pairing
Serve as an aperitif or enjoy with barbecued shellfish, seafood and citrus fruit salads, chicken dishes, sweetbreads with mushrooms or alongside desserts of candied fruits or apricot pie.

Vinification
Direct light pressing if carried out with a new pneumatic press. Cold settling takes place overnight at 10°C. Alcoholic fermentation is in stainless steel tanks at a low temperature between 16 – 18°C. No malolactic fermentation is allowed to preserve the freshness. Maturation is on the fine lees with regular stirring in stainless steel vats for 6 months. Bottling is in March/April of the year following the harvest.