Clos Marie - Pic Saint-Loup rosé 2022

This flagship estate in the Pic Saint-Loup region has been masterfully managed by Christophe Peyrus since 1995. A leading figure in the appellation, the winemaker cultivates 22 hectares. Praised for their intensity, finesse, body, and distinction, the estate’s wines are not, however, universally loved, as some enthusiasts are put off by the acidity resulting from the winemaker’s choice to provide minimal protection for the wines. While we do not endorse this divisive characteristic, we champion Clos Marie for its unique tannic finesse and the delicacy of its flavors. We tasted magnificent 2018 vintages and a magnificent 2019 from the entry-level line, the Olivette. Let’s hope that all these virtues are preserved when the wines are released.

Since settling in the Pic Saint-Loup area in 1995, Christophe Peyrus and Françoise Julien have carried out a steady series of experiments—essential for grasping all the nuances of their terroirs. The work done in the vineyard, the high-quality vine stock, and a higher planting density have all contributed to enhancing the finesse of the estate’s wines. The significance of the sites and plots sets the tone. To understand this, one need only visit the beautiful Simon plot—stony terraces situated in a fault line—which has been under mixed planting since 2002. The entire range—coherent and complementary—places this estate among the elite of the sector; distinctive aromatic nuances now enrich the Simon and Les Glorieuses cuvées, which possess the aging potential and profile of the great Rhône wines, without imitating them.