XIIIE
ROSÉ 2023
AOP Côtes de Provence – Made with organic grapes
Technical sheet of XIIIE Rosé
This estate cuvée was created on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the acquisition of the Commanderie de Peyrassol by Philippe Austruy. The very soul of the estate, XIIIE reflects the colours of Peyrassol’s terroir. Its unique bottle and free-form label, created by the designer Pierre Yovanovitch, combine authenticity and modernity in perfect harmony with this wine which reveals the taste of fruit without any diversion.
Vintage 2023
The winter of 2022-2023 was particularly dry in Provence. The arrival of spring did not change the climatic conditions, and the resulting early drought was becoming particularly worrying. This was without counting on a complete turnaround in the situation during May and June. Regular and abundant rainfall profoundly changed the profile of the vintage. In some areas, more than 300 mm of rain was recorded, with several days of thundery showers, sometimes accompanied by hail. In some very localized areas, mildew had a profound effect on the potential of the harvest. Fortunately, from June onwards, a particularly hot and dry summer put a definitive stop to the development of the fungus. Under glorious sunshine, the vines, which benefited from a good water reserve, developed under excellent conditions.
From mid-August onwards, as we strolled through our vineyards, we noticed looser bunches, highly concentrated grapes and thicker skins, perfect indicators of great vintages. The first ripeness checks suggested a harvest with great potential, combining good acidity and moderate sugar levels. However, the end of the summer brought a new surprise, with a fortnight of almost scorching temperatures. The ripeness of the grapes took off. Very quickly, the potential degrees soared, and the colour and aromas appeared.
Harvesting programmes had to be speeded up to preserve and benefit from the good acidity present on 15 August. In the later areas, from the second decade of September onwards, cooler nights facilitated pre-fermentation operations. The harvest took place in record time, with all the grapes in the cellar by early October. The lovely musts, which were already very pleasant to taste, augured well for a vintage of great quality. Fermentations produced beautifully coloured wines (whites, rosés and reds), with very clear aromas and well-balanced acidity on the palate. 2023 was a vintage in which vigilance, adaptation and responsiveness all came into their own. But the winemaker’s hard work has been rewarded by the consistent quality of our still young wines.
Soil
Clay and limestone from the inland valleys, combined with a few parcels of cool, deep terroirs. The coolness is maintained by choosing plots with northern exposure.
Grape varieties
50 % Grenache – 40 % Cinsault – 10 % Syrah.
Vinification
Harvesting guided by plot selection precisely timed to the development of ripeness controls. The harvest was then guided by the rhythms of the moon: most of the plots were harvested between 28 August and 11 September 2023 Traditional vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats after gentle pneumatic pressing.
Ageing
Several months in stainless steel vats on fine lees to preserve the freshness of the aroma
Tasting notes
A soft colour reminiscent of rose petals. The nose is very open, typical of the unrestrained expression of the 2023 vintage: fresh, light flowers and delicate, greedy fruit combine to create a typically Provençal airiness. On the palate, the sweetness is present from the outset, the velvety profile immediately envelops the palate and continues through to a delicate finish. The nose supports the whole with notes of fresh fruit typical of our grape varieties. The blend lingers on the palate, finishing with a lovely, thirst-quenching salinity.