Pinot Nero Les Cretes 2023

The Pinot Noir of Les Cretes originates in the Aosta Valley, specifically in Aymaville in the Haute Savoie area. The roots of the winery date back to the mid-1700s, when Bernardin Charrère bought a small farm with an adjoining cellar and walnut mill. Some time later, his son Etienne continued his father's work, adding cider production and an additional mill to process flour. It was with Louis that production expanded and became more structured, as wheat, rye and barley began to be milled, adapting to changing times. Until the 1950s, it was his son Antoine who breathed new life into the family business, introducing the processing of olives from outside the valley and introducing wine production, working with and enhancing native vines and territorial potential. Today, it is Costantino who has inherited his family's century-old history, focusing on a comprehensive, responsible production of rare quality.

The Pinot Noir vineyards of Les Cretes grow at an altitude of around 650 metres above sea level; the terrain is steeply sloping, making viticulture heroic, and the exposure is south, with constant sunlight between the rows for perfect ripening of the grapes. It is composed of moraine stone, sand and loose for wines with a strong character. The plants have an average age of over 25 years and the first production dates back to 1995. The climate is characterised by cold, snowy winters, characterised by frosts; summers are cool, sunny with substantial temperature swings between day and night. The grapes are harvested by hand in mid-October; in the cellar, the grapes are destemmed when they are chilled and a 2-day cryomaceration takes place. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in steel for 10 days with daily pumping over. It matures again in steel for 6 months.

To the eye, the Pinot Noir of Les Cretes appears ruby red with brilliant reflections. The bouquet of aromas is reminiscent of underbrush, blackberry, currant and raspberry with final notes of sage; in the mouth it is elegant, fine with structured tannin, but delicate to the drink. In pairing, it is ideal with grilled, stewed and polenta-cooked meat dishes; also interesting with typical mature cow's milk cheeses from Valle d'Aosta. Perfect for special family occasions or romantic evenings in front of the fireplace to enjoy the potential of Pinot Noir, unleashed in the land of Valle d'Aosta.