2017 Chêne Bleu "Heloise" VDP Vaucluse, Rhone Valley, France

ABOUT THE WINE

Named after the legendary scholar and lover of Abélard, Héloïse embodies grace, intelligence, and quiet strength. The 2017 vintage blends Syrah (predominantly), with Grenache and a touch of Viognier, co-fermented in the Côte-Rôtie tradition. Sourced from high-altitude vineyards in the Dentelles de Montmirail, where cooler nights preserve acidity and aromatic intensity, this cuvée reflects the tension between Rhône opulence and mountain precision.

Grapes are hand-harvested and sorted, fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel and open-top wooden vats, then aged for 18–24 months in French oak, including a portion of new barrels. The result is a wine of structural integrity and aromatic complexity, offering layers of dark berries, cracked pepper, violets, black tea, and a savory mineral edge.

Serve with herb-crusted lamb, duck with figs, venison, or aged hard cheeses. Decanting is strongly recommended to fully appreciate its aromatic evolution.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

Chêne Bleu is a high-elevation, family-owned estate located in Crestet, within the Vaucluse region at the crossroads of Northern and Southern Rhône. Rescued and restored in the late 1990s by Xavier and Nicole Rolet, the estate sits on a site with viticultural history dating back to the Middle Ages and now produces wines that bridge tradition and innovation.

With a strong commitment to sustainability, Chêne Bleu farms organically and biodynamically, emphasizing biodiversity, minimal intervention, and precision viticulture. The estate's philosophy draws on both Burgundian detail and Rhône expression, producing terroir-driven wines of aging potential. The Héloïse and Abélard cuvées—named after the storied lovers—serve as stylistic counterpoints: Héloïse is the more lifted, refined, and aromatic expression, marrying Syrah’s spice and structure with the elegance of cool-climate Grenache and Viognier’s floral finesse.