Clos Bellane Obsidien 2017

An elegant wine with structure and complexity with aromas of blackberries, blueberries and black cherries, ripe plums, herbs and balsamic.A powerful taste with soft tannins.

The wines of Clos Bellane are literally and figuratively of a high standard.The vineyard is located south of the town of Valréas, at an altitude of about 400 meters on the slopes of the Vinsobres plateau.Stéphane chose this high location to anticipate the effects of climate change.The 48 hectares of land are planted with mainly Grenache for red wines, supplemented with a smaller amount of Syrah.For white wines, Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier and Clairette are planted here.Although it can get quite warm in this area, the nearby Mediterranean Sea and the cold north wind provide cooling in the vineyards.The grapes grow on east-facing slopes, which means they get sun mainly in the morning.This, in combination with the high location of the vineyards, ensures that the grapes ripen slowly and evenly and at the same time retain their freshness.The limestone soil contributes to the freshness in the wines and provides a striking minerality and elegance.The isolated location of the vineyard ('Clos') makes it possible to work according to biodynamic principles.

In the cellars, every effort is made to produce top-quality wines that reflect the character of the vineyard as much as possible. During and after the manual harvest, the grapes are rigorously selected. Gravity is used to move the grapes and the must. Ultramodern equipment ensures very precise vinification. Each year, the character of the grapes determines whether stainless steel, concrete and/or wood will be used. After separate vinification, the grape varieties are blended with the utmost precision, in order to meet the quality that the name ‘Clos’ may bear. Maturation takes place on stainless steel, concrete or wood in underground cellars with a naturally constant temperature. Stéphane only uses large or used wooden barrels, in order to minimize the influence of the wood aromas on the wine. The fresh, elegant style of the wines is more reminiscent of the Northern Rhône than the Southern Rhône.