LA GROSSE PIERRE Chiroubles Claudius 2020

La Grosse Pierre Chiroubles “Claudius” 2020

From Pauline Passot’s Domaine de la Grosse Pierre in Chiroubles, this cuvée is a tribute to her great-grandfather Claudius, who planted these vines. The fruit comes from the highest sector of the Grosse Pierre lieu-dit (around 350 m), on deep, decomposed pink granite soils with southeast exposure. The vines are 90–100 years old.

Whole-cluster, semi-carbonic maceration with indigenous yeasts, no additives during fermentation, then eleven months in concrete. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

The 2020 shows the concentration and structure that only very old Gamay vines can deliver. Ripe black-plum and strawberry fruit, a creamy mid-palate, pine-needle and stone notes, and a clean mineral thread. Bright acidity keeps everything lively; the tannins are firm but fine. Juicy, pure, and already expressive, with enough backbone to develop further.