Domaine Santa Duc : Le Pied de Baud 2022

Characteristics and Tasting Notes of the Le Pied de Baud 2022 Domaine Santa Duc

Tasting

Colour
The colour reveals a beautiful ruby red hue with brilliant highlights, reflecting great clarity and preserved freshness.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet proves complex and multidimensional, blending notes of black cherries, raspberry and plum with hints of liquorice, fresh thyme and leather, all underscored by subtle floral touches and wet stone.

Palate
Displaying supple elegance and a mineral character, the palate offers a harmonious structure with soft, silky tannins. It unfolds vibrant flavours of ripe red fruit and peppery herbs, carried by an appealing acidity that stretches into a lingering finish with nuances of exotic citrus.

Food and wine pairing

This French red wine pairs wonderfully with roasted or braised meats, such as a matured beef rib or a traditional daube. It also perfectly accompanies poultry in sauce, lamb with garrigue herbs, as well as soft-rind cheeses such as a mature Saint-Nectaire or dishes based on wild mushrooms.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate Le Pied de Baud 2022, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature of around 15.5°C and to decant it one to two hours before tasting while it is still young. This wine can be enjoyed now, but its solid structure allows it to develop very favourably in the cellar, with drinking potential up to around 2037.

The elegance and minerality of a Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine from Domaine Santa Duc

The estate

Founded in 1874 in the heart of the southern Rhône Valley, Domaine Santa Duc is a true institution of Provençal winemaking. Historically rooted in Gigondas, the estate today spans some thirty hectares. Led since 2017 by Benjamin Gras, who represents the sixth generation, the estate carries on the pioneering spirit of his father Yves. Renowned for its early commitment to organic and later biodynamic farming, the estate stands out for its pursuit of a pure expression of terroir, skilfully combining southern power with a remarkable finesse that has earned it international acclaim.

The vineyard

Located in the northern part of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, the Pied de Baud plot covers around one hectare. The very old vines, over 90 years of age, thrive on a northwest-facing slope. This distinctive terroir is composed of red clay mixed with rolled pebbles. Surrounded by forest, the vineyard benefits from a microclimate that offers a precious coolness, preserving the natural balance of the grapes during ripening.

The vintage

The year 2022 was marked by significant heatwaves and pronounced drought, particularly during the summer period. These weather conditions favoured excellent phenolic ripeness and fine concentration in the berries, while the plot's sheltered, shaded position helped maintain a saving freshness throughout the growing cycle.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes are harvested by hand, with rigorous sorting of the bunches both in the vineyard and at the winery. The winemaking of Le Pied de Baud 2022 follows a minimal-intervention approach, using exclusively indigenous yeasts and a significant proportion of whole bunches. Aging then takes place over a period of 18 months, split between 36-hectolitre oak vats and 8-hectolitre terracotta jars. The wine is finally bottled without any fining or filtration.

Grape varieties

80% Grenache
10% Mourvèdre
10% Cinsault