DOMAINE SANTA DUC - Vacqueyras - Les Aubes - YVES GRAS 2019
Domaine Santa Duc is located both in Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Rhône Valley. The estate was created in 1874 and since then, six generations of the Gras family have succeeded each other, each adding their own contribution to its development. Benjamin has worked hand in hand with his father, Yves, since 2017. After obtaining a diploma in oenology at the University of Bourgogne in Dijon, his experience was enriched by periods spent in prestigious wine estates such as Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Bodega Vega-Sicilia. He maintained organic agriculture, converting the entire estate to biodynamic methods in 2016, and re-thinking the range of wines to put the emphasis on local terroirs. Just as his father did, he favours as little intervention as possible in winemaking, and respect for what nature offers.
The Vacqueyras Les Aubes is a blend of Grenache (80%) and Syrah (20%) from plots exclusively located in the localities of Les Aubes and La Ponche in Vacqueyras, on 1.5 hectares. The harvest is manual with sorting in the vineyard, followed by a second on a sorting table and partial destemming. Fermentation lasts 20 to 30 days in stainless steel vats at controlled temperatures with two long daily pumping-overs. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vats. The wine is aged for 18 months in 36 hectoliters Stockinger oak casks and 8 hectoliters in terracotta jars.
Grape varieties: 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah