By Mas de Sainte Croix
Tendresse d'un Climat Cotes du Rhone Villages Valreas

Terroir
South and southwest-oriented hillsides and plateaus at altitudes ranging between 350 and 400 m, on the plateau between Valreas and Vinsobres. Cool nights. Clayey and limy conglomerate terrains of late Miocene age. Pebble content ranges from 10 to 50%. Rather poor soils with an ideal hydric reserve.

Grape Varieties
60% Grenache, between 45 and 50 years old, and 40% Syrah, 14 years old.

Winemaking Process
Mechanical and manual harvest. Destemming and crushing; vatting in stainless steel tanks. When possible, pre-fermentation maceration at low temperature (between 12 and 15 degrees C). Addition of yeast if necessary. First half of fermentation at a temperature of 18 to 20 degrees with daily rackings. Second half of fermentation at higher temperatures (25 to 30 degrees). Long maceration time (around 30 days) to favor tannin softening. Racking according to tasting, when the tannic structure is well-rounded. Pressing of the solid marc in a pneumatic winepress. Malolactic fermentation. Aging for about 12 months in concrete tanks. Several rackings to clarify the wine. Minimal filtering before bottling.

Tasting
Medium intensity, dark red colored wine with a nice shine. Delicate but complex nose of black fruits with a hint of sweet spices and licorice. Fresh and fruity mouth with a well-presented, nicely rounded tannic structure. Alcohol and fruit merge harmoniously to give fullness and generosity, with a return of freshness at the finish.

Food and Wine Pairing
To be served at a temperature between 16 and 18 degrees. This enticing, mellow, and full-bodied wine will perfectly harmonize with red meat (a thick, rare T-bone steak or lamb shoulder) and, more generally, with all flesh-and-blood meals. It can be enjoyed right now, but will benefit from 3 to 5 years of aging.
[Information provided by Mas de Sainte Croix]

Wine: 2023 Mas De Sainte Croix Cotes Du Rhone Villages Valreas Tendresse D'Un Climat
Score/Rating: 91
Suggested Drinking Window: 2026 - 2034
Review Date: 03/04/2026
Reviewed By: Jeb Dunnuck
Tasting Notes: A beautiful wine, the 2023 Cotes du Rhone Villages Valreas Tendresse D'Un Climat is [...] all destemmed and aged in concrete tanks. Red and blue berry fruit intermixed with peppery herbs, graphite, and chalky minerality all emerge from the bouquet. It's medium-bodied, fresh, focused, and elegant on the palate, with a complex style that will drink nicely over the coming 7-8 years. Drink 2026-2034.