M de Minuty Rosé 2019

M de Minuty comes entirely from hand harvested grapes grown in the Côtes de Provence, making it perhaps the only major regional wine that is still hand harvested. The source for the majority of the wine is from partners in the highest quality Côtes de Provence vineyards. Minuty’s original estate vineyard in Saint Tropez, and their estate one hour north in the hills of Vidauban also contribute fruit.

As with all their wines, the focus is on working with high quality Grenache grapes that can bring aromatic complexity and gorgeous fruit flavors while offering a seamless and fresh structure.

In regards to their own vineyard holdings, the Minuty family is proud of their strong commitment to sustainable viticulture. They quickly achieved the French government’s High Environmental Value certification for the estate’s biodiversity, farm management to limit inputs, and broader commitment to limiting environmental impact. All their vineyards have long been grown without the use of chemicals.

As with all Minuty wines, fruit is handpicked. Just as important, they time the picking with their pressing, so that when the grapes are picked and brought over to the winery, they immediately go to the press, protected by carbonic gas. Grapes are chilled and alcoholic fermentation takes place at cool temperature and lasts around 3 weeks. There is no malolactic fermentation. Selection and blending are done around the end of November.

2019 was an excellent vintage. The late warm weather resulted in an early and relatively quick harvest, and the estate focus on viticulture and winemaking to emphasize freshness plays beautifully with the intense fruit. The final blend of the 2019 is 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault and 20% Syrah.

Light and bright in color. The nose has very intense aromas of orange peels and red currant. The wine in the mouth is smooth with a nice freshness.