Vineyards and winemaking
Piedlong brings together 90% Grenache from roughly 70-year-old vines on the molasse and galets roulés of the Pied Long plateau with 10% Mourvèdre from approximately 50-year-old vines on the sand and clay of Pignan. The two sites combine fragrance, warmth and savoury structure.
The fruit is hand-picked and rigorously sorted, with partial destemming before a traditional fermentation of around 30 days in open oak and concrete vats. The wine then spends 20 to 22 months in large 60-hectolitre foudres and is bottled without filtration.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Medium garnet with a clear ruby core and gently evolved rim.
Nose
Red cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry are layered with rose, thyme, tobacco leaf and cracked pepper.
Palate
Medium to full-bodied, with graceful Grenache fruit, fresh acidity and fine, settled tannins. Mourvèdre adds earth and darker spice, while liquorice and warm stone carry the long, savoury finish.
Food pairing
Serve with shoulder of lamb baked with garlic, roast pork and fennel, duck legs with puy lentils, or a Provençal vegetable gratin. A brief decant will help the mature fruit and garrigue notes open evenly.
Background story
The Brunier family's roots in Châteauneuf-du-Pape extend to 1898 and are best known through Vieux Télégraphe. Piedlong is a distinct family project created to highlight old Grenache on the Pied Long plateau, supported by Mourvèdre from Pignan.
The cooler 2014 vintage favoured fragrance, balance and measured alcohol rather than sheer force. This wine received 92 points from Wine Spectator, 91 from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and 16.5 from Jancis Robinson. It is now mature; bottle condition can vary, so stand upright before opening and decant gently for sediment.
