In French, ‘espiègle’ means “playful” or “mischievous.” This is a selection of fruit from the Domaine’s youngest vines. Soils are alluvial, with many “galets roulés” commonly found along the Rhône River valley (especially in Châteauneuf-du-Pape). The area is dry; the family plows their land by hand, to train the vines’ roots to dig deep in the rocky soils for nutrients and moisture.
Hand-harvested. Grapes held in cold storage for 24 hours. Fermented in tanks on indigenous yeasts; gentle crushing by foot. Aged in older French oak barrels (four- to six-year-old barrels that previously held white Burgundy) for one year. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Aromas of summer berries, light earth, peppery spice. Dominated by red, ripe fruit; moderate tannins. Best served chilled. Pair with French charcuterie; roasted chicken with herbs.