Domaine Dupasquier Altesse Roussette de Savoie "Aimavigne" 2018

The Land

This Roussette de Savoie comes from Domaine Dupasquier's vineyards located in a southwestern lobe of the Savoie, close to the Rhône Valley. The estate's most prestigious vineyard is the incredibly steep "Marestel" Cru, with its vines benefitting from sun-drenched slopes and primarily limestone soils. The vineyards are worked both by hand and with a tractor, with the Marestel vines exclusively hand-worked due to their steep location. The family believes in biodiversity, and plows only every other row, allowing for the vines to truly express the unique terroir.

The Wine

The 2018 Altesse is a 100% varietal wine made from the Altesse grape, from a total of 6 hectares, half of which is in Marestel and the rest used for the standard Savoie Altesse bottlings. The wine is fermented with native yeasts and then spends an extended aging period on fine lees in old, neutral barrels until just before the next harvest. It then sees another 18 months in bottle. It is a wine that shows a warmth and ripeness reminiscent of the Rhône Valley, yet is balanced with a freshness, acidity, and a minerality that is all its own. Expect a broad palate with a structured and age-worthy character.

The People

Domaine Dupasquier is a traditional estate run by David Dupasquier and his sister Veronique, though their father, Noel, is still heavily involved in the vineyards and cellar. David is a fifth-generation winemaker who is dedicated to expressing the terroir of the Savoie region in the wines that they produce. They are committed to working the vineyards with respect to their environment, and to using traditional cellar practices that allow their wines to show a true sense of place. They use indigenous yeasts for all fermentations, regardless of the vintage. They are an estate clearly focused on maintaining traditions.