Les Baux de Provence

France · AOC · Provence-Corsica

Styles

Natural factors

A limestone ridge running east–west, rising to 490 m, carved from Lower Cretaceous marl-limestone formations and Jurassic limestones.
Soils developed on stony spreads (glacis, alluvial fans, scree, bedded head deposits); vines grown on terraces or hillsides, with well-drained piedmont slopes.
Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers, 750 mm of rainfall per year, and 2,800 hours of sunshine annually. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Mistral blows approximately 100 days per year; the north-facing slopes are cooler and more exposed, while the south-facing slopes benefit from maritime influences. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
The zone encompasses 7 communes in the Bouches-du-Rhône département; the central portion is occupied by the commune of Les Baux-de-Provence.

Human factors

Viticulture in the area dates back to around 600 BC (Phocaean settlers), with 'Romanin' cited as a significant vineyard estate since Antiquity; the AOC was officially recognised on 20 April 1995.
Following the devastating frost of 1956, Robert Faye of Mas de la Dame revived the vineyard on the advice of Baron Le Roy, co-founder of the AOC system.

Product characteristics

Reds: ruby to garnet colour, nose of spice, jammy black fruits and cocoa; fine-grained tannins; ageing potential of 5 to 10 years.
Whites: fresh and lively, with notes of peach, apricot, anise and rosemary; oak ageing adds toasty character, ripe fruit and vanilla.

Terroir / wine link

The Mistral dries and cools the vines, promoting polyphenol ripeness — particularly important for the more sensitive Provençal varieties, including the late-ripening mourvèdre. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.