Fidèle,
Corral d'en Pi, Collioure AOP
THE PEARL OF THE CÔTE VERMEILLE.
The port town of Collioure on the Vermillion Coast hosts the southern-most vineyards in France. Between the mountains and the sea (tue i mount in Catalan) where the Pyrénées plunge into the Mediterranean.
The vineyards are rooted in the feixas terraces rising to an altitude of around 400 metres. The terraces descend in steps from the Pyrénées foothills down to the valleys, overlooking the Baillaury, Cosprons, Douy or Ravaner rivers – the main waterways in the area. Vines draw the water through reliefs of brown Cambrian schist cut into the terraced foothills, as opposed to the more alluvial soils near the coastal edge.
Combined with high levels of sunshine and low rainfall, the viticultural challenges are further impacted by the dry, powerful Tramontane winds which blow from the northwest (down from the Pyrénées). These winds are a vital natural tool in protecting the vineyards from disease. Drought remains an issue, though the easterly winds from the sea can help to mitigate the summer heat, the water laden night-clouds cooling the vineyards below.
The Collioure appellation was the first for a dry wine accreditation within the Roussillon region in 1971, encompassing four communes; Collioure, Port-Vendres, Banyuls-sur-Mer and Cerbère. The four villages running from the north to south with Cerbère on the border with Spain and Collioure 20km to the north.
The grapes for Fidèle, Corral d’en Pi (Corral of pine) are harvested from vineyards in Banyuls-sur-Mer, a 4km pebbles’ throw inland from the coast.
Corral d'en Pi
COLLIOURE AOP
Our Corral d’en Pi goblet vines are aged up to 50 years old and sit within a corral of pine trees on the terraced schist slopes at around 350m altitude. Parcels of vines are protected by small walled fan-shaped furrows to which a network of converging channels feed the run-off rain water from the slopes.
Grapes were hand harvested on 10th September 2022. One third of the grapes were de-stemmed and two-thirds remained whole bunch. Long traditional maceration some with carbonic fermentation at around 24°C and sat with lees for a month. Malolactic fermentation was carried out.
The wines were aged before being blended early March 2023.
80% Grenache Noir, 10% Syrah, 10% Carignan.
No fining, no stabilisation, very, very light filtration and then the wine was bottled. It is kept in bottle for 3 months before being released (June 2023).
A limited 1,320 bottles have been produced.
"The wine opens up with rich and velvety red fruit notes. The palate is juicy and the freshness of the schistous terroir gives a lovely grip and good balance to the wine. With the right levels of extraction, tannins are firm but gentle, supporting black plum flavours and a subtle hint of black olive tapenade." Emmanuel Cazes
Vintage: 2022
ABV: 14%
No oak ageing
Maison d'Alliance, 1870 Avenue Julien Panchot, 66000 Perpignan, France
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