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Domaine du Banneret is one of the most discreet and authentic gems of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, "a hidden little treasure" whose annual production does not exceed 10,000 to 13,000 bottles. A family estate whose origins date back to 1405, when the Bertet family, direct ancestors of the Vidals, already owned their vineyard in the heart of the village, the estate was re-established in 1989 by Jean-Claude Vidal, an architect from a major Toulouse firm who chose to change his life and take over the family parcels. His first steps in the cellar were taken alongside his friend and mentor Henri Bonneau, who allowed him to produce his first cuvées and passed on ancestral winemaking techniques. He also learned from Jacques Reynaud of Château Rayas. Since 2014, his daughter Audrey Vidal has been running the estate, which she joined in 2012. Across just 3 to 5 hectares spread over 7 to 8 parcels around the village, Domaine du Banneret produces a single Châteauneuf-du-Pape red, blending the 13 grape varieties authorised by the appellation, in a tradition of noble classicism and absolute authenticity that has made it a reference for lovers of great southern wines.
The history of the Domaine du Banneret is a story of fidelity to the land and to one's ancestors. The Bertet family, of whom the Vidals are direct descendants, owned their own vine plots in Châteauneuf-du-Pape as early as 1405, like many other notable families of the time. The Bertet family coat of arms still appears on the estate's labels, a living testament to this six-century heritage. The vine passes through the generations, up to Jean-Claude Vidal who, in 1989, decided to leave everything behind to take over the family vines. A recognised architect at a major Toulouse firm, he made this decision after the previous operator was about to retire and the question arose of a sale outside the family.
Initially without a winemaking cellar, Jean-Claude borrowed a simple barrel from an old friend, one Henri Bonneau, whose wines were at the time among the most sought-after in the appellation. Henri Bonneau let him make his first cuvées at his place, passing on the gestures and philosophy of a Châteauneuf of old. Jean-Claude also learned alongside Jacques Reynaud of Château Rayas, another silent genius of the appellation. Supported by the discreet but highly gifted oenologist Serge Mouriesse, the estate gradually built its reputation as "a hidden gem of the appellation, both unmissable and full of mystery." In 2012, his daughter Audrey Vidal joined the estate, and has been running it since 2014.
The vineyard of the Domaine du Banneret covers approximately 3 to 5 hectares, spread across 7 to 8 plots around the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The terroirs are varied and complementary, characteristic of the geological diversity of the appellation: soils of rounded galets (quartzites) that store the heat of the day and release it at night, light sands and deep clays. Among the most remarkable plots, some are situated on the Grand Pierre terroir, very close to the vines of the legendary Château Rayas, on the highest parts of the appellation. Other plots of Syrah are planted near the Bois de Boursan, and some Mourvèdre plots close to the banks of the Rhône.
The grape variety composition is the estate's great singularity: all 13 grape varieties authorised by the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation are present and co-planted together in the same plots, with the exception of Syrah, which is trained on wire. Red varieties: Grenache noir (majority at 60%), Mourvèdre (10%), Syrah (10%), Muscardin, Vaccarèse, Terret Noir, Cinsault, Picpoul noir, Counoise. White varieties (incorporated into the red blend): Grenache blanc, Clairette blanche, Clairette rose, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Picardan. The average age of the vineyard is 70 years, with many old vines of 80 years and above. Yields are parsimonious, of the order of 22 hl/ha only, representing less than half of what the appellation allows. When a vine dies, Jean-Claude prefers to replace it by massal selection in order to maintain diversity and typicity.
Winemaking at the Domaine du Banneret is resolutely ancestral and makes no concessions to modernity. Harvests are manual and strict, with rigorous sorting of the grapes. All grape varieties are co-fermented together, as whole clusters (uncrushed bunches), with indigenous yeasts in small concrete tanks. Maceration is long, lasting 3 to 4 weeks, allowing a gentle and progressive extraction of the matter, tannins and aromas from all 13 grape varieties. A few rackings are carried out to maintain freshness. The wine is then aged in old oak foudres for 18 to 24 months. The wines are not filtered. Bottling is done by gravity in the small cellar carved into the village hillside.
The result of this approach is a Châteauneuf of rare complexity and depth, bearing the imprint of all 13 grape varieties in a unique and inseparable blend. "They produce a Châteauneuf as in days gone by, with the 13 grape varieties authorised by the appellation, red and white, all brought together in a single red cuvée. A rarity today." Production remains deliberately limited, barely 10,000 bottles per vintage, in order to maintain the absolute quality standards that characterise the estate.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge: The unique cuvée, exclusive and entirely representative of the most noble classicism of the appellation. A blend of all 13 grape varieties authorised by Châteauneuf-du-Pape, co-planted and co-fermented together: 60% Grenache (including fine plots on the Grand Pierre terroir near Rayas), 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, and 20% Muscardin, Vaccarèse, Terret Noir, Cinsault, Picpoul noir, Counoise, Clairette blanche et rose, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Picardan. Vines averaging 70 to 80 years old, yields of 22 hl/ha. Manual harvesting in whole clusters, co-fermentation with indigenous yeasts in concrete tanks, long maceration of 3 to 4 weeks, ageing of 18 to 24 months in old foudres. A powerful, complex and very long red wine, with aromas of red and black fruits, spices, garrigue, and floral notes contributed by the white grape varieties. A broad and structured palate, with a firm and noble tannic structure that requires at least 5 to 7 years of ageing before opening up. "A fine wine to cellar for at least five years before serving with a leg of lamb or game", Guide Hachette des Vins. Approximately 10,000 bottles per vintage.
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