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.
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 beautifully. Though never a brawny wine, Rose Poupre is traditionally Gaillard’s most palate-staining, brooding Côte-Rôtie. The 2020 is true to form, though the stamp of the vintage lends this release considerable charisma and approachability. It’s compact and layered with dark berry fruit flavours underpinned by spices, sophisticated structure and mineral nuance. A fabulous combination of fruit purity and terroir expression. Best from 2025 we would say.