2018 Chêne Bleu "Abélard" VDP Vaucluse, Rhone Valley, France

ABOUT THE WINE

This is Chêne Bleu's flagship Grenache Blend named after the famed philosopher Pierre Abelard to reflect its forceful, brooding intensity and showcase the opulence and concentration of our old-vine Grenache, with some Syrah to add to the complex structure. The grapes for this wine are sourced from high-altitude (550m), mature vines farmed using organic and biodynamic principles. They are hand-picked into shallow crates and meticulously double-sorted by hand on vibrating sorting tables to ensure only the highest-quality fruit is used. Fermentation is done parcel-by-parcel in a state-of-the-art gravity-fed winery to prevent harsh pumping. Typically this wine is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels (a mix of new and 1- to 2-year-old), followed by further aging in concrete tanks and the bottle prior to release. 

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

Chêne Bleu is a pioneering estate nestled in the secluded heights of the Dentelles de Montmirail in southern Rhône, where winemaker Nicole Rolet and her team have redefined what’s possible from an off-the-beaten-path terroir. The domaine is committed to biodynamic and organic farming, with meticulous attention to ecological balance and low-intervention winemaking. Founded on a philosophy of “Extreme Viticulture,” the estate emphasizes small production, sustainability, and uncompromising quality. With its fusion of Burgundian finesse and Rhône character, Chêne Bleu has become a benchmark for high-altitude Rhône wines that challenge traditional appellation boundaries.