Grenache and Syrah Origins
The Grenache is from the oldest part of the Domaine de la Solitude, now managed by the great-grandfather of Florent Lançon, the eighth generation to manage this land in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Planted at the beginning of last century, it is located on the western slope of La Crau Plateau on a terroir of sandy marl. The Syrah flourishes on the fresh soil of Safres des Blachières. The blend is 65% centennial black Grenache and 35% Syrah. These two great terroirs are always vinified separately but only in great vintages, (five out of the last ten) is Réserve Sècret created.
Vinification and Aging Process
Harvesting is done by hand in 25kg crates. After a double selection of the best bunches in the vineyard and on a sorting table, the grapes are vinified; whole cluster for the Grenache whilst the Syrah is de-stemmed. Vinification takes place in concrete tanks. The wine is carefully aged for 18 months, 90% of it in barrels. The barrels, of exceptional quality, are made from Colbert oak from the french forest of Tronçais. The wine is then blended and left to rest in large foudre for 15 months before being bottled without filtration or fining. Just 1,200 bottles and 150 magnums were produced from the 2019 vintage.
