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 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 is, of course, by hand, and the fruit is entirely destemmed before crushing. This cuvee ages for 18 months in Allier and Nevers barrels. These barrels are mostly new, yet this powerhouse wine has soaked it up beautifully. Though never a brawny wine, Rose Poupre is traditionally Gaillard’s most palate-staining, brooding Côte-Rôtie.