Domaine des Ardoisières - Amethyste 2018

60% Persan, 40% Mondeuse Noire 
11% vol
Savoie, Franc

Améthyste is the top red cuvée at Domaine des Ardoisières, made from the steep monopole (100% domaine owned vineyard) of Cevins. An incredibly steep slope (up to 60%, like Côte-Rotie), with a full southern exposure and soil of schist and mica schist yielding on avarage only 20hl/ha.

This is the pinnacle of Savoie winemaking, where day temperatures reach up to 50 degrees Celsius in the vineyards while the nights are cold under the influence of the Alps. Resulting in lower alcohol wines with an inherent mountain-streamlike freshness.

Améthyste is made from a blend of two native grape varieties: 60% Persan and 40% Mondeuse Noire, grown biodynamically. The grapes have been whole bunch fermented on their native yeasts and then fermented for 12-18 months on 2-10 year old barrels.

Stylistically, the wine is perhaps most similar to the wines at Côte-Rotie, but then with it's Savoie freshness and lightness (12% alc). A mineral raspberry fruit tone with a peppery and saline finish. Enjoy between now and 2035.