Vin de France Ursa Major 2022 Pascal Chalon

The Vin de France Ursa Major Rouge 2022 from Domaine La Grande Ourse, Pascal Chalon is the flagship and most ambitious cuvée from this family domaine in Tulette, Drôme provençale, where four generations have worked in the Rhône Valley. In 2022, Pascal Chalon made a decisive choice: to vinify the cuvée as pure Grenache Noir and declassify it to Vin de France, freeing himself from appellation blending rules to deliver the purest expression of his old vines. A radical and convincing decision, in the spirit of the greatest Rhône vignerons who made the same choice before him: when terroir and vines speak loudly enough, the grape alone suffices.

Terroir and vines

The old vines of Ursa Major are all located on the Tulette terroir, in the Drôme enclave of Vaucluse, on hillside parcels with soils of sandy-clay silts and limestone gravels of fluvial origin, with zones of silica-rich gravels of remarkable mineral richness and natural drainage. These ancient, varied soils, formed by alluvial deposits from the Rhône and its tributaries, give Grenache incomparable concentration, depth and aromatic precision in this zone of the Drôme enclave. The age of the vines, ranging from 60 to 100 years across different parcels, is precisely the source of the remarkable density, complexity and palate comfort of this cuvée: deep and extensive root systems, naturally very low yields, grapes of exceptional maturity and concentration. The entire vineyard is farmed in certified organic agriculture, using biodynamic preparations and natural decoctions to protect the plants without synthetic chemicals. Pascal Chalon loves walking the rows multiple times to taste, sort and taste again before deciding to harvest. Harvesting is done by hand, with selective sorting directly in the vineyard. The reds are completely destemmed and macerate for a month with daily pump-overs and punch-downs, emphasising the work of infusion rather than extraction. Fermentation with native yeasts exclusively. Ageing in large wooden vessels for approximately 18 months. Very moderate use of SO2.

Tasting profile

The colour is a deep, dark garnet red with violet glints, displaying a density and luminosity that immediately betray the natural concentration of these old vines. The nose is immediately sensual and frank: a great fruit emerges, more towards red berries than dark berries, cherry, wild strawberry and redcurrant, accompanied by lovely spice and floral notes of violet and southern garrigue. In pure Grenache on this Tulette terroir, the aromatic palette is of remarkable precision and purity, without the sometimes imposing power of Grenache-dominant blends from neighbouring crus. The palate has structure, breeding and depth: very fine-grained yet with a suave, smooth touch and absolute palate comfort that is the signature of this cuvée. The material is dense and well-nourished, supported by fresh, well-integrated natural acidity. The finish is long, persistent and harmonious, with this return of spiced red berries and garrigue that speaks with sincerity to the nobility of Tulette terroir and the vignerons patience.

The domaine

La Grande Ourse is Pascal Chalon and his family, four generations of passion in the Rhône Valley. Since 2001, he has produced precise, pure wines in organic and biodynamic farming, orchestrated by the rhythm of the moon, where tradition and emotion meet in every bottle. The domaines cuvées are all inspired by constellations: Petite Ourse, Grande Ourse and Ursa Major, the flagship cuvée whose Latin name speaks to the vignerons ambition and conviction for his oldest Grenache vines.

Food pairings

This Vin de France Ursa Major Rouge will pair beautifully with a slowly braised Provençal daube, grilled beef rib with garrigue herbs, rack of lamb with thyme and rosemary, crushed potatoes with truffle, a selection of aged cheeses or intense dark chocolate fondant. Served between 16 and 17°C with an hour of decanting recommended to allow the full depth of these centenary vines to unfold, it will reveal the full fruity generosity, tannin breeding and absolute purity of a Tulette Grenache brought to its most sincere expression.