Domaine des Ardoisieres Vin des Allobroges Blanc Cuvee Silice 2024

Grape: Jacquere
Vintage: 2024
Type: White

Domaine des Ardoisières sits in the Vallée des Bauges of the French Alps near the Swiss border, where ancient terraced vineyards on steep rocky slopes produce wines of remarkable purity and precision. The estate's original two single vineyard sites are the Côteau de Cevins, which was first planted during Roman times but eventually became overgrown and abandoned, and Saint-Pierre-de-Soucy, located on the gentle slopes of the southern part of the valley. Since 2005, Champagne native Brice Omont has been the winemaker at Ardoisières and is now considered one of France's most exciting producers. Since Brice took the helm, this project gained momentum through the 2000s, establishing Ardoisières as a benchmark estate in Savoie. Today, Ardoisières farms approximately 12 hectares across premier sites in Cevins, Saint-Pierre-de-Soucy, and the steep Arbin hillside. The estate produces wines using Savoie's unique varieties, including Altesse, Jacquère, Roussanne (Bergeron), Mondeuse Noire, Chardonnay, Gamay, and the rare Mondeuse Blanche and Persan. The estate has employed biodynamic principles in the vineyard since planting. However, it is in the winery that the most interesting evolutions are taking place, as vinification is gradually moving away from fiberglass to stainless steel tanks, with select cuvées now seeing time in large Stockinger foudres.

Deep ruby-purple hue and an aromatic profile reminiscent of a northern Rhône Syrah, featuring concentrated notes of blackcurrant, wild raspberry, and violet alongside a distinct peppery spice and smoky graphite. On the palate, it is voluptuous yet highly structured, balancing zesty acidity with fine, crunchy tannins and a persistent saline finish characteristic of its alpine origin. This vintage was aged for 12 to 18 months in neutral oak.