Winemaker Notes
The estate’s 78 hectares are divided into three main blocks: Clapassous, located around the Romanesque chapel of Aleyrac; Les Couronnes, the estate’s coolest site on hard limestone soils; and Valflaunès on red soils and limestone scree. Vines average nearly 500 feet in elevation, with the highest parcels at 650 feet above sea level.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Blackberries, ground pepper, dried earth and peppered meat notes all dominate the 2017 Pic Saint Loup Coste D'Aleyrac, a ripe, rounded, complex, almost Northern Rhône-like red to drink over the coming 7-8 years. The blend is 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Carignan, brought up all in tank.
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Wine Spectator
Crushed stone and flowering garrigue notes mark the nose of the 2017 Pic Saint Loup Coste d'Aleyrac, a blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Carignan aged solely in tank. Blackberries and licorice appear on the medium to full-bodied palate, which is smooth and supple, gliding easily into a long, savory finish.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Pic Saint-Loup is defined by the Pic Saint-Loup Mountain in its center as well as Montagne de l’Hortus, a long ridge of Jurassic limestone rising over 2,000 feet some 15 miles inland from the Mediterranean. Elevated from the coastal plains, Pic Saint-Loup’s 1,000 hectares of vineyards on well-drained, limestone-based soils, are blessed with cooler nights, allowing low yields and grapes to fully ripen while retaining acidity. The region supports many different grape varieties since it is spread over a number of elevations and microclimates.
Approved only for reds and rosés, Pic Saint-Loup wines aim for complex, earthy elegance, and are worth putting down for a few years. The southern French trio Grenache, Syrah and Mourvédre must constitute 90% of the red blends. Cherry, plum and berry fruit pick up spicy, herbal overtones from the surrounding garrigue, giving the wines a great balance of power and delicacy. Pic St Loup rosés, often containing a good dollop of Mourvédre, show more grip and color than many southern French pinks; the best ones can age with grace for five years or more.