Pierre qui Rolle VdF 2023

Wine Description for Pierre qui Rolle VdF 2023 by Flo Busch

Colour & Appearance

Luminous, amber orange – an intense hue that immediately reveals: skin contact has been employed here. The colour recalls sunsets over Languedoc.

Nose

Seductively fragrant and complex: khaki, oranges and kumquats with their skins, alongside ripe peaches and mirabelle plums. A hint of beeswax and Mediterranean herbs lends additional depth to the bouquet. Intense, yet never intrusive – a remarkable balance.

Palate

Here reveals itself the true class of this orange wine: the texture is velvety and silky, simultaneously possessing a fine, almost sandpaper-like tactile presence. Ripe citrus fruits dominate, accompanied by vanilla and liquorice. The fine tannin is perfectly integrated, the ripe, vibrant acidity holds everything in balance. This is orange wine for connoisseurs – accessible, elegant, never demanding.

Finish

Medium to long, with lingering citrus notes and a pleasant, slightly bitter orange peel note that invites the next sip.

Terroir & Origin

The Grenache Blanc grapes hail from a 3.5-hectare vineyard with limestone scree and galets roulés with high quartz content. The 70-year-old Rolle vines grow on loose, permeable limestone soils at altitude – already farmed organically before Flo Busch’s takeover.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Cuvée of 75% Grenache Blanc and 25% Rolle (Vermentino). Following hand-harvest, the grapes were crushed and left on the skins for 14 days – the key to the colour and texture. Spontaneous fermentation in steel tank, then 18 months ageing in used 600-litre barrels. Bottled unfiltered and unfined, minimal sulphur added.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Perfect with braised fennel with citrus, grilled swordfish, bouillabaisse, Parmigiano Reggiano or Moroccan chicken tagines with preserved lemons. Also a delight with sautéed mushrooms and hard cheese.

Special Features

An orange wine that proves skin contact need not mean radicalism. Flo Busch succeeds here in crafting an elegant, eminently drinkable wine that bridges classical white wine and orange wine – authentic, brilliantly crafted, pure drinking pleasure.