Domaine de Saint Ser "Cuvee Dolia (Amphora)" Sainte Victoire Rouge 2017

Alcohol: 13.5%

Grape(s): Shiraz/Syrah

Localization: Cotes de Provence, France

Tasting Notes: This beautiful deep blue-violet colored wine has aromas of fresh fennel fronds and blackberry pie just out of the oven. The first sip is smooth and velvety like a semi-sweet chocolate raspberry ganache. Then the acidity and tannin present with a bite of Kalamata olive and currant.

Notes: Grapes harvested by hand, vinified, and aged in terracotta amphoras (Dolia)

The Domain: Sainte-Victoire is a sub-appellation of Côtes de Provence and became officially recognized in 2005 as a DGC (denomination géographique complementaire). The appellation is named for the Sainte-Victoire mountain range, which rises to the north of the viticultural zone and, together with the Sainte-Baume Massif to the south, creates a unique micro-climate that is cooler and drier than the surrounding appellation of Côtes de Provence.

Domaine de Saint-Ser lies at the foot of the Montagne Sainte-Victoire, and at an elevation of 400 meters, the domain’s vineyards are the highest in the appellation. On a property of 80 hectares, 47 hectares are planted with vines. The vineyards are south-facing and benefit from the refracted light from the mountain of limestone just above it. Jacqueline Guichot purchased the property in 2006 when it needed major renovations. As she says, she rolled up her sleeves and undertook the work of restructuring the vineyards and repairing the buildings. Since that time, Jacqueline’s drive for progress and improvement has never stopped. In 2017, her domain was certified as both organic and bio-dynamic and she continues to evolve a winemaking style rooted in minimal intervention. Her reflective nature is evidenced in her two cellars. The first cellar has stainless steel tanks, and the second has an array of barrels, foudres, jars and eggs. She is not interested in chasing momentary fads, but rather in studying the effects of different vinification techniques on the expression of terroir. 

Rosé is made by applying strict plot selection criteria including the highest land on the slopes of the Sainte Victoire Mountain : the Grenache plot which is dominated by the Chapel of Saint-Ser.