Clos de Grillons, 'Vieux Sage' 2024

Producer: Clos de Grillons
Region: Rochefort du Gard, Rhone, France
Varietals: Syrah
Viticulture: Organic
Category: Red
Size: 750 ml

Nicolas Renaud is a geologist born and raised in the Rhône. For many years, he taught the geology at university, tending vines on the side. In 2005, he began renting his own vines, and in the meantime has cultivated a mosaic of parcels – in and around Rochefort du Gard – with unique bedrocks, soils and long forgotten vines. His wines are the perfect physical analog to the breadth of knowledge he brings to the vineyard. Working organically, Nicolas shows what the magnificent terroir of the Rhône has to offer.

It's impossible not to be charmed by Mr. Renaud. There's a comical element at his core that endears you to him and to his project. Nicolas's great gift and great weakness is that he simply cannot help himself. Every year, every visit, there's a story about a new little parcel that charmed him and demanded its own fermentation. He's fascinated. He is madly in love with his work and his terroir. 

From 35+ year-old biodynamically cultivated Syrah vines on red clay soils, grapes are hand-harvested macerate for 4 days prior to pressing. Spontaneous fermentation and aging all in tank. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, no additional SO2.