Description
Xavier, Pierre and Jean-Marc Ravaille founded Héritage du Pic Saint Loup—formerly Ermitage du Pic Saint Loup—in 1992. In 2023, the name was changed as the result of an agreement with the INAO and the AOC Hermitage. While the former name invoked the presence of an ancient hermitage at the site of the vineyards, the new name brings to mind the Ravaille family's long history on the slopes of the Pic. The family has been in this commune of the Languedoc-Roussillon for over 1,000 years and most likely knew the Saint Thieri Loup for whom they named the estate. As legend has it, Saint Loup was one of three knights who fell in love with the beautiful Princess Bertrade. She promised her hand in marriage to the one who returned from his Crusades the bravest and most pious. Sadly, when they returned from their journey, they found that Bertrade had died. They were so grief stricken that they withdrew from the world and wouldn’t leave her grave site. They eventually separated and disappeared into the countryside, where they became hermits and passed, one after the other. The local residents decided to name the three impressive mountain peaks of the Herault Valley after them to honor their memory. Pic Saint Loup, the most prominent of the three limestone peaks, is perched above the vineyards the brothers planted on land formerly used for sheep farming and cheese production. The three fish on the label symbolize both the story of the three Saints as well as the collaboration of the three brothers.
The domaine has been farming their vineyards biodynamically since 1999 and attained organic certification in 2012. The 2023 rosé is a blend of 40% Syrah, 30% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache, 10% Cinsault from vines that range in age from 10–50-years-old. Direct press, the juice was fermented with indigenous yeast, vinified and aged in stainless steel with complete malolactic fermentation.
Pale peachy pink in the glass. Delicately scented, with aromas of fresh red berries with hints of garrigue. The palate is elegant and refined with flavors of tart red cherry, wild strawberries and ripe nectarine, laced with sweet green herbs. Light, bright and refreshing with limestone throughout and on the lingering finish.
