Xavier Vignon : La Réserve X XII XV

An exceptional wine by Xavier Vignonn revealing the expression of the terroirs, the grape varieties and the importance of time

The producer

For over twenty years, the exceptional winegrower Xavier Vignon, has been considered one of the finest experts in the Southern Rhône Valley. After studying oenology in Montpellier, Xavier Vignon travelled around the French and Australian vineyards. A great lover of the Rhône Valley, he began working in an oenology laboratory in the Vaucluse in 1996. Since 2016, Xavier Vignon has fully devoted himself to the creation of his own wines. A lover of great terroirs and grape varieties, Xavier Vignon vinifies and blends vintages that stand out due to their unique style.

The vineyard

La Réserve X XII XV is made from four terroirs in Châteauneuf du Pape that have been carefully selected for their incredible potential. Thus, this vintage is comprised of grapes that come from century-old Grenache, Vaccarèse, Counoise, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Terret Noir and Muscardin vines from La Crau, Les Galets roulés, les Urgoniens and les Sables. The different grape varieties for this Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine are planted on the same plot.

The vintages

La Réserve X XII XV comprises a blend of three different vintages: 2010, 2012 and 2015.

The 2010 vintage makes up for 42% of the final blend, bringing acidity and expressing the characteristics of the terroir.

The 2012 vintage makes up for 22% of the final blend, exuding the varietal expression and fruitiness as well as a nice mineral intensity.

The 2015 vintage makes up for 36% of the final blend and provides a wonderful expression of the grape varieties, adding to the complexity of this wine. It gives a salty taste to the finish.

Winemaking and ageing

During the manual harvest, the grapes were entirely sorted and destemmed directly on the vine. The grapes are rarely handled during the vinification process, even during fermentation, in order to preserve the softness of the aromas and the nobility of the tannins. 

The 2010 wines were aged in the following containers before being blended in a stainless steel tank to complete and finalise their ageing period: 20% in French oak barrels for 44 months, 20% in concrete tanks for 36 months, 30% in large barrels for 46 months and 30% in demi-muid barrels for 44 months.

The 2012 vintage was aged in the following containers for 36 months: 25% in concrete tanks, 25% in demi-muid barrels, 20% in new oak barrels and 20% in first-fill oak barrels.

The 2015 vintage was aged entirely in amphora for 8 months in order to preserve the expression of both the grape and the terroir while giving a nice suppleness to the tannins.

The blend

Grenache, Vaccarèse, Counoise, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Terret Noir and Muscardin.

Food and wine pairing

The Reserve X XII XV will enhance grilled beef ribs, roasted pigeon but also veal filet mignon.

Service and storage

The Reserve X XII XV is an exceptional wine that can be kept for 10 to 20 years. For the best tasting, serve between 15 and 16°C.