Rose et Or Rosé 2022

Rose et Or comes exclusively from the original estate vineyard, a half mile from the ocean and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. The quality of this location has always been evident, as the estate was one of the original 18 classified growths in Provence.

The vineyard is heavily influenced by the marine proximity, with the afternoon winds bringing dryness and cool air. The mica schist soils contribute a notable minerality and are oriented to the southwest, allowing for full ripeness throughout the property.

In addition to the trademark Grenache, which the family have been pioneers in the region for emphasizing, Rose et Or has a small proportion of Cinsault. Native to the South of France, this varietal is known to produce fresh and aromatic rosé wines.

Finally, the Minuty family is proud of their strong commitment to sustainable viticulture. They quickly achieved the French government’s High Environmental Value certification for the estate’s biodiversity, farm management to limit inputs, and broader commitment to limiting environmental impact. All their vineyards have long been grown without the use of chemicals.

As with all Minuty wines, fruit is handpicked. Just as important, they time the picking with their pressing, so that when the grapes are picked and brought over to the winery, they immediately go to the press, protected by carbonic gas. Grapes are chilled, and as for 281 and Prestige, they only take the free run juice, around 65-70% of the total volume. Alcoholic fermentation is at cool temperature and lasts around 3 weeks. There is no malolactic fermentation. Selection and blending are done around the end of November.

After a cold and dry winter, the flowering happened early. Overall it was an early vintage because of the high temperatures in the spring and the summer combined with low rainfall (resembling the hot 2003 vintage). Fortunately, some welcome rain came right before the harvest relieving some pressure and refreshing the grapes. The harvest started early on August 16. The grapes were concentrated and the yields were below average. Despite the heat, this vintage translates the characteristic of the Minuty terroir combining intensity, elegance and brightness.

This vintage is all about elegance; the aromas of sun-drenched and freshly-picked ripe fruit ranging from vine peach and pear to melon. It’s full and crisp on the palate, powerful yet pure.