The charismatic Rose Pourpre (purple rose) comes from a particularly steep, one-hectare parcel of 40-year-old vines rooted in the schist soils of Côte Rozier. It’s a warm, amphitheatre-shaped site situated just under the famous La Landonne, at the heart of the Côte Brune. There are numerous stone walls, well known for their ability to retain heat. This magnifies the site’s sunny microclimate and is one of the keys to understanding the depth and structure of the wines that come from this terroir. Though never a brawny wine, Rose Poupre is traditionally Gaillard’s most palate-staining, brooding Côte-Rôtie.
Harvesting was done by hand and the fruit was all de-stemmed before crushing. It was aged for 18 months in Allier and Nevers barrels. These barrels were all new, and this powerhouse of a wine has soaked it up. The 2019 is a spectacular example. Layered, opulent and deep, there is real mineral impact here and, while the (classy) oak needs a little more time to integrate with the wine’s flesh (it is well on its way), fans of this wine will not mind waiting a few years. Fine tannins add to the picture, tapering to a commanding finish with superb, long-lasting favours. A striking wine.