Producer: Vignobles Mayard, F/R Rhone Selection
Region: Rhone Valley
Winemaker: Françoise Roumieux
Terroir: 40-year-old vines from over 30 different parcels of land with a mix of sand, clay, limestone covered by galet stones
Winemaking: Destemmed and fermented with native yeast, the wine ages in cement tanks for 12 months.
Appellation: Chateauneuf du Pape
Grape Variety: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah
Production: 5000 cases
Summary
“Le Hurlevent” translates roughly as the “storm-wind” and refers to the strong Mistral winds that blow south through the Rhone valley. This is a blend of more than 30 different parcels from different soils found throughout the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region. This wine is the first to be bottled each year at the estate and represents a traditional and fresh approach with red berry fruits, licorice, herbs (garrigue), and finishing with polished tannins and a full, rich texture.
Food Pairing
Great with beef, wild game, braised or stewed dishes, eggplant, aged or funky cheeses.
Varietal Notes
The most widely planted grape in the Southern Rhône valley is Grenache which makes up about 70-80% of this blend depending on the vintage. It is ideal for the warmer climate here and is typically blended with Syrah and Cinsault, which offer a little more tension with darker, earthier components.
Grenache: With its thick skin and tight clusters, it is perfect for the hot, dry soils of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Expect flavors of cherry, cassis, white pepper and fresh herbs.
Cinsault: A dark-skinned grape with great aromatics, it is drought-resistant and functions well in the heat of southern France.
Syrah: Syrah produces deeply colored and concentrated red wines from small dark berries. Because of the high level of tannins and acidity, this grape has the ability to age and evolve for long periods of time.