2010 Heloise
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Tasting notes
This is the Syrah blend, roughly 70% Syrah, 20-25% Grenache, the rest either Viognier and Roussanne, not co-fermented, but blended then aged for a year in tank. The Syrah-dominated 2010 IGP Vaucluse Heloise is a beauty that has an open, rounded, complex style. Offering lots of blackberries, spice, hints of pepper and forest floor, It's medium-bodied, silky, and elegant on the palate, with fine tannin and beautiful elegance. It reminds me of a Côte Rôtie from the southern part of the appellation. Located high up in the Dentelles de Montmirail behind the picturesque village of Séguret, Chêne Bleu is run by the Rolet Family, with Jean-Louis Gallucci making the wines. The wines all come from these higher elevation, limestone-driven soils and the estate produces two whites, one rosé, and two top reds. Looking at the top reds, the Heloise is Syrah-dominated and always reminds me of a top Côte Rôtie. The Abelard is the more Grenache-dominated cuvée (it’s 80-85% Grenache with the balance Syrah) and oozes Provençal charm, with a style not far from a top Gigondas. These wines are not cheap, but unquestionably the quality is there.
Critic scores
Average Score
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2010 Heloise is another in a string of fabulous wines from this estate located high up in the Ventoux. The smoky, herbal aromas are reminiscent of Côte Rôtie, and in many ways, this is a more northern expression of the Rhône. It's lithe and medium-bodied, with a silky mouthfeel and long, espresso-tinged finish, all imparting a sense of easy elegance to this blend of Syrah, Grenache and Viognier. It can be drunk now and over the next decade or more.
Opaque ruby. Highly fragrant, mineral-accented aromas of ripe dark fruits, candied licorice and woodsmoke develop an Indian spice nuance in the glass. Fleshy and impressively concentrated but energetic as well, offering bitter cherry and boysenberry flavors that become sweeter with air. Finishes with strong, mineral-driven persistence and velvety tannins that sneak up slowly.
63% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 2% Viognier – Grenache, over 40 years at 530 m, Syrah, 30 years old at 540 m. On clay and limestone soils, very stony. 21 hl/ha. 18 months in French oak. Unusual on the nose because it has lots of peppery Syrah character but also a definite red-fruit quality. Beautifully fine texture, great restraint, although it opens up in the glass to a more fragrant side and marked persistence. It smells really cool even though the wine itself is room temperature. Still youthful but coming into its stride, fresh and cool on the finish. (JH)