Additional Info

Site: Les Baties is located in between the villages of Crozes-Hermitage and Larnage in the northern portion of the Crozes-Hermitage appellation, just north of the hill of Hermitage. The slope is moderately steep and faces southeast. The vineyard sits on rounded sloping hills with a small stream at its base. The valley and stream provide a cool northern breeze that results in a distinct freshness in the wine. The vineyard is at 200-meters elevation.

Geology: The geology of Les Baties is extremely complex and changes rapidly throughout the vineyard. Thin layers of alluvium and wind-blown calcareous loess rest on top of the underlying granitic bedrock. The exact relationships between the granite, alluvium, and loess are quite complicated and result in zones of alluvium, colluvium, loess, and granitic sands throughout the vineyard.

Soils: The soils of Les Baties are as complex as the geology. The soils are white, loose, and lightly textured, and therefore highly erodible. At the top of the slope the soils are calcareous and sandy with up to 30% granitic gravels and sands, and approximately 5% smooth rounded cobbles (gallets) averaging 4-10 cm in diameter. Just down the slope the soils are distinctly more alluvial, non-calcareous, with more rounded stones. At the bottom of the slope the soils are light, white in color, and calcareous. Generally, they are deep (a minimum of 60 cm).

We are greatly indebted to Brenna Quigley for the geology and physical descriptions.