Aussières Le Milan Noir
The vintage
The relatively mild winter in 2020 led to an early bud break and increased the threat of fungal diseases. A warm, relatively wet summer, with a hot, dry late summer period, without scorching high temperatures, allowed the grapes to reach their optimal aromatic potential slowly, while maintaining a sufficient level of acidity.
As the growth cycle progressed, the vines lost some of their earliness and the grapes were harvested about ten days earlier than the previous vintage.
Location
The estate is nestled in the rugged hills just behind the Mediterranean coastline of Narbonne, in the South of France.
Terroir
The soils are very shallow and rocky on the slopes, and deeper and sandy on the plain. Yields are voluntarily kept very low in order to preserve the vines and ensure the production of high quality grapes.
The grapes come from flatter, lower lying parts of the estate where the deeper soils with underlying sandysilt provide the optimal growing conditions for grape varieties more associated with the Bordeaux region : Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc that contribute to the complexity of this blend.
Winemaking
The grapes are picked at optimal ripeness, destemmed and then vinified using traditional maceration methods.
The maceration period varies from 10 to 12 days with gentle extraction and fermentation at fairly low temperatures (around 25°C) in stainless steel vats in order to preserve the wine’s full aromatic potential. Ageing is then carried out in vats so as to keep all of the fruit’s freshness and purity.
Grapes
Tasting
This 2020 vintage has an intense, dark colour with glints of purple.
On aeration, the nose opens up substantially offering a rich aromatic profile, with pronounced Mediterranean aromas typical of our terroir, with sweet spices, liquorice, stewed garrigue fruit (figs, redcurrants, strawberry tree, almonds).
The palate is very pleasant, characterized by balance and harmony. Soft, elegant tannins coat flavours of Mediterranean cuisine (piquillo peppers stuffed with tapenade, fig jam, etc.), accompanied by notes of smoked tea and cigar.
A wine with a multi-faceted character, Aussières Rouge can be consumed on almost any occasion and be paired with a very wide variety of foods.
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