# Laroche Pinot Noir Réserve (2022)

- **Producer:** Domaine Laroche
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Languedoc-Roussillon, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €15
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, blackberry, blackcurrant, black pepper, vanilla, cloves, cedar, mushroom, forest floor

## About this wine

Domaine Laroche, historically famous for its Chablis estate founded in 1850, expanded its winemaking expertise to the South of France in the 1990s. Seeking cooler microclimates to craft elegant wines, they established Mas La Chevalière. This Pinot Noir Réserve represents a bridge between regions, applying meticulous Burgundian craftsmanship to carefully selected parcels in the high-altitude clay-limestone soils of the Orb Valley, Limoux, and northern Gard.

## Interesting facts

- Grapes are strictly harvested at night to lock in delicate primary fruit aromas and natural acidity before the daytime heat.
- The wine is crafted by Domaine Laroche, a legendary Chablis producer applying Burgundian techniques to southern French terroirs.
- Sourced from older vines averaging at least 30 years of age, planted on a complex mosaic of clay and limestone soils.

## Food pairing

This Pinot Noir's medium-bodied structure, vibrant acidity, and soft tannins make it exceptionally versatile. It pairs beautifully with earthy dishes like mushrooms and root vegetables, which complement its subtle spice, while its bright acidity cuts through the richness of duck, roasted chicken, and charcuterie without overwhelming the palate.

## Wine making process

The grapes are harvested at night to preserve freshness and natural acidity. Following a six-day cold pre-fermentary maceration, the wine undergoes a 14-day fermentation and maceration period. During this time, manual punch-downs (pigeages) and pump-overs (remontages) are performed entirely by hand. After completing 100% malolactic fermentation, a portion of the wine is matured in traditional Burgundian half-muids and 228-liter French oak barrels.