2014 Ciboise Rouge, M. Chapoutier, Côtes-du-Rhône, France, Luberon

Humility and desire: these words best describe the Domain M. Chapoutier.

This company cultivates his vines in the greatest respect for natural balance and terroir since 1808. A coat of arms "Fac et spera" (Do and hope) became the family motto. Two verbs to describe all the patience, all the audacity you need to have in this wine business. Patience vis-à-vis the presiding nature. Audacity of the winemaker who observes, selects and supports. The wine is an expression of this alchemy.

The Luberon Regional Natural Park acts as the setting for the Luberon vineyards. These currently cover 36 communes, which are all situated in the south east of the Vaucluse department. Classified as Mediterranean but under the influence of a more continental climate from the Alps and Rhone Valley. The Luberon ranks among one of the most sun-drenched regions in France with approximately 2,600 hours of sun per year.

The presence of vines in the Luberon goes back to antiquity. The Romans planted these vines in particular in the Pays d'Aigues region, and then in the Middle Ages and during the Renaissance, the wine-growing areas spread widely, especially to the north of the Petit Luberon.

The development of the vineyards increased at the end of the 19th century and subsequently between the two wars. At the beginning of the 70s the winegrowers of the Appellation, who were conscious of the need to modernize, undertook major works. Their efforts were crowned with success in 1988 when the Cotes du Luberon obtained the Appellation of Controlled Origin. Today, we call it simply "Lubéron"...

Scree (talus) on clay based sand at the foot of the Luberon mountain range.

Grapes are harvested at phenolic ripeness. The wine is vinified in the traditional way from 15 to 21 days. The wine is aged on fine lees in vats from 9 to 12 months.