Wine Specs
Vintage
2015
Appellation
AOP Saint Chinian
Alcohol %
14
Domaine Vila Voltaire
2015 La Faute Syrah
An alluring, purple-faceted ruby in the glass, this Syrah-dominant blend expresses concentrated blackcurrant fruit while maintaining an alluring complex palate. Aromas of truffles, passionfruit, licorice, and cocoa harmonize with a fine spiciness, long finish, and well-integrated oak. The domaine practices organic, sustainable viticulture.
A friend to red meat lovers, enjoy with barbecue (especially spareribs), braised beef, grilled meats and vegetables, hamburgers, and lamb (especially roast leg of lamb).
Domaine: Domaine Vila Voltaire
Appellation: AOP Saint Chinian
Cuvée: 2015 La Faute Syrah
Blend: 80% Syrah, 20% Grenache
Wine Description
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Wine Specs
Vintage
2015
Appellation
AOP Saint Chinian
Alcohol %
14
Wine Profile
Vineyard Notes
The southern end of the St. Chinian appellation contains large limestone formations, deposited by the sea in the Secondary and Tertiary Era. The land rises in narrow, elongated plateaus in a NE / SW orientation. This succession of rocky banks gives the landscape its pink or red colors of bauxites, sandstones or clays.
Domaine Vila Voltaire practices organic, sustainable viticulture, adhering to the principle of “prevent rather than cure.” Isotherapy, biocontrol and specialized composts are used to maintain the optimal health of the vines.
The life and health of the soil is a priority. Spring plowing and winter rest support the microbial life of the soil, which is nourished with manure and custom composts. Manual weeding and small sessions of “rabassier” keep the winemakers in shape!
Production Notes
Manual harvesting preserves the integrity of the grapes. The grapes are destemmed and crushed before vatting. No sulfites are added. For 10 days, the grapes are kept at cool temperatures to finish the fermentation.
After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged on fine lees in demi-muids with racking and stirring. Maceration lasts one month followed by manual de-vatting with gentle pressing and no pumping.
After aging, the wine is bottled after spring has passed twice. At this point, a small quantity of sulphur is added (SO2 total <60 mg / l). Coarse filtration is carried out to maintain the wine’s nice tannic edge but also to maintain an antiseptic alcoholic degree. No treatment is applied against tartaric precipitation.
Winemaker Notes
Stéphane and his partner, Cécile, met while studying to become agricultural engineers. They created Domaine Vila Voltaire in 2000, when they came upon a winegrower’s house for sale and a vineyard of ancient, low-yielding vines slated for destruction. Their first vines were in the AOC Saint Chinian and were century-old Carignan, Syrah and Grenache. The vines were in an idyllic environment, planted on red sandstone and perpetually subject to the wind and the sun. The result — beautiful, expressive wines. Stéphane is still a consulting oenologue all over Europe but these wines show his own special wine making gifts.
Food Pairing Notes
A friend to red meat lovers, enjoy with barbecue (especially spareribs), braised beef, grilled meats and vegetables, hamburgers and lamb (especially roast leg of lamb).
Production
“La Faute" means “the guilt”, a reference to wine regulations which prohibit the Saint Chinian appellation from being 100% Syrah. So instead.....Vila Voltaire uses a majority of Syrah with just a touch of Grenache.
Other Notes
Ageability: Drink now or keep for at least 10 more years.
Decant before serving or better, observe its evolution in the glass from the moment of opening.