Les Déplaude de Tartaras, Collines Rhodaniennes
Anne and Pierre-André Déplaude used to be dairy farmers in this little village located just south of Lyon. Sandwiched between northern Rhône and southern Beaujolais. This very un-famous appellation was planted with over 20 000 hectares before the phylloxera. After that there were not many people that re-planted, today the total surface of vineyards is just 20 hectares.
In 2003 Anne and Pierre-André were through with the milk industry and started to plant their land with vines. Today they have 5,7 hectares of their own and 2 hectares rented, on the steep schist slopes in the village of Tartaras.
They planted the land with the 10 different grapes that used to be grown here before phylloxera (5 of them are almost unheard of) and which are also allowed within this area.
They made their first vintage in 2004 and has since 2007 been working 100% organically and since 2009 also biodynamically. They normally sell their annual production of around 19 000 bottles locally to private customers and on wine shows so we are really happy to be their second export customer.
These wines are really something we’ve never tried before.
The reds are elegant, fruit driven and mineral with very fine tannic structure. The whites are fruity, fresh with a nice bitterness.
2021 L’Écume des Jours
Soil: Mica schist with gravel
Grape: 50% Viognier 50% Marsanne
Appellation: IGP Collines Rhodaniennes
Age of Vines: Planted 2007
Vinification: Direct press, then fermented and aged for 8 months in old demi muid before blending and bottling.
2018 Le Renard & Le Bouc
Soil: Mica schist with gravel and limestone
Grape: Gamay
Appellation: IGP Collines Rhodaniennes
Age of Vines: Planted 1964
Vinification: Partly destemmed, partly whole bunches fermented together with some semi maceration carbonique taking place. After around 2 weeks maceration, pressing and blending follows. Bottled in July 2018.
2020 Tout Compte Fait
Soil: Mica schist with gravel
Grape: 90% Pinot Noir, 10% Syrah.
Appellation: IGP Collines Rhodaniennes
Age of Vines: Planted 2009
Vinification: 80% of the grapes are destemmed and fermented together with 20% of whole bunches for 20 days before pressing and continuously ageing for 9 months in old demi-muid before bottling.
The name means: All in all
2021 Le Vent se Lève
Soil: Mica schist with gravel
Grape: Syrah
Appellation: IGP Collines Rhodaniennes
Age of Vines: Planted 2009
Vinification: Partly destemmed, partly whole bunches fermented together for 2,5 weeks before pressing and blending. Then aged for 10 months in old demi-muid and barrique before blending and bottling.
The name means: Sales are rising. 1300 bottles made.
2021 La Chanse
Soil: Mica schist with gravel
Grape: Syrah
Appellation: IGP Collines Rhodaniennes
Age of Vines: Planted 2009
Vinification: 90% de-stemmed, 10% whole bunches ferments together for 20 days before pressing. Then aged for 11 months in old demi-muid and barrique before blending and bottling.
2020 Mine de Rien
Soil: Mica schist with gravel
Grape: Mornen Noir (local grape, very hard to find, so not strange if you’ve never heard about this before)
Appellation: IGP Collines Rhodaniennes
Age of Vines: Planted 2008
Vinification: Whole bunch fermentation for 10 days before pressing. Then aged for 10 months in one old barrique and one 500 liter fiber glass tank before bottling.
The name means: Casually.