The Blend

Artistic

Construct, deconstruct and adjust, until the magical meeting point between rich and diverse notes is reached. The creation of a majestic symphony in which the conductor uses his technical skills, sensitivity and necessary humility to create his own unique interpretation of the work and determine the final wine.

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Scene 1compose

[00:02.02]All the components are now gathered together in front of us. | [00:04.81]It is time to blend them, | [00:06.16]to construct the wine and affirm its style, | [00:08.96]bringing all our senses into play to create the perfect balance. | [00:12.50]We must taste, and taste again, to achieve this. | [00:16.16]The right blend does not reveal itself in one day, | [00:18.76]it is built up over a number of tastings. | [00:22.00]Henry de Ruffray

The ageing

Fusional

Eighteen months of tender loving care, exercising a craft handed down from generation to generation over the centuries. A great deal of patience is required to shape the new arrival and we feel as if we are watching a child grow up. A very intimate process.

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Scene 2drive

The vinification

Fiery

Vinification is rooted in alchemy. The grape reveals itself a little more with every day spent in the vats. It reveals itself for what it is, with no formula or pre-existing recipe. Expertise lies in the ability to reinvent oneself according to the harvest. A perfect symbiosis between the grape, its fluids and the fragrances they exude. This is where everything begins (again).

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Scene 3transform

[00:02.87]It is always a pleasure to open the tank valve| [00:05.55]and see the pale pink juice running off, | [00:07.94]its fruity aromas | [00:09.10]instantly shooting up the nose. | [00:11.78]It's great to see the start of fermentation, | [00:13.89]the must beginning to bubble and change colour, | [00:16.60]and to follow the alcoholic fermentation to the end.| [00:20.12]You need to be attentive and well-organized | [00:22.22]because the yeasts don't go to sleep on weekends and holidays. | [00:26.67]Being in the middle of the vinification process is as intense | [00:29.11]as taking part in a major competition. | [00:31.58]It's also an exciting time | [00:33.45]with an air of celebration about it. | [00:35.00]Didier Larue

The harvest

Committed

We need to taste the grape and take all factors into account when deciding on the right time to harvest. We need to act with courage and remain true to our own style, without knowing what tomorrow will bring. We work our way through the rows of vines as if on a razor's edge, trying to find a balance between maturity and freshness in each individual plot. All of our hard work in the vineyards can be ruined from one day to the next. The decision to harvest requires composure, experience and a deep understanding of our vines and soils.

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Scene 4engage

[00:01.05]This is the moment when it could all go wrong. | [00:03.31]A few days late or early | [00:05.19]and all the work carried out could be wiped out in an instant. | [00:09.64]You have to know, like the back of your hand, | [00:11.29]the vineyards and their surrounding environment | [00:13.10]to decide when best to harvest. | [00:16.33]As the big day approaches, we hesitate, | [00:18.72]we check the weather forecast. | [00:21.24]Once, twice, ten times, | [00:23.94]we go through the motions of launching the harvest, | [00:25.45]before pushing back the fateful moment. | [00:28.36]And then, suddenly, all hesitation vanishes | [00:30.44]and the rest of the adventure continues | [00:32.08]on a very solid footing.| [00:33.00]François Baudoux

The viticulture

Expert

Every day is different. Nature and its whims will often reshuffle the cards. Yet the skills, inherited from our forefathers, help us to keep things on track and protect the bunches from the blazing sun, heavy rain or bitterly cold temperatures. Hidden work…under the open skies.

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Scene 5craft

[00:02.67]My favourite work in the vineyards is the pruning. | [00:06.17]This is carried out over the winter. | [00:09.14]Time passes very quickly. | [00:11.77]The harvest is hardly over and already it’s December. | [00:15.94]It’s turned cold. | [00:17.77]I reach my plot, | [00:19.15]don my safety gear, and get out my pruning shears. | [00:22.76]I mentally run through | [00:24.09]the instructions given me by my boss. | [00:27.86]I go along the row facing the vines.| [00:31.10]I inspect them closely, imagining them in the future. | [00:34.77]You have to plan ahead to end up with vines at the right height | [00:37.85]and to control the length of their branches | [00:39.71]to prevent an overcrowding of the vegetation.| [00:42.96]I cut the vines with concentration, prudence and love. | [00:48.70]At the end of the day, I put down my equipment | [00:51.66]and I go back through the rows, double-checking my work. | [00:56.97]I go home proud of the work I've done | [01:00.61]and the decisions I’ve made. | [01:10.00]Rachida Touzani