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At the heart of the Provence wine region, mid way between Nice and Marseille, Rimauresq takes its name from the ''Real Mauresque'' being the river which flows through the vineyards. The Domaine itself is located at the foot of Notre Dame Des Anges and the dominating Massif des Maures mountain range.

Rimauresq is one of only a handful of Appellation Côtes de Provence vineyards awarded Cru Classé status in 1955. This mirrors the classication of the great Bordeaux chateaux a hundred years earlier. It's from these renowned vineyards that Pierre Duffort and his wine making team produces their elegant and award winning wines which have gained such a strong reputation both within and beyond France.

Domaine de Rimauresq
Route Notre Dame des Anges
83790 Pignans
France

Telephone: +33 4 94 48 80 45
Fax: +33 4 94 33 22 31
Email: rimauresq@wanadoo.fr

Come, taste and discover our exceptional wines !

The opening hours of our cellar door are:

September 16th-May 30th: 0900hrs-1200hrs & 1400hrs-1700hrs

June 1st-15th September: 0900hrs-1200hrs & 1500hrs- 1800hrs

We are closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

You will find below links to useful web sites which will give you an overview of the Provence wine region and the elite Cru Classé club of which Rimauresq is a member.

• Cru Classé
• Appellation Côtes de Provence
• Beautiful agreements

Rimauresq estate vineyard comprise 57 hectares of vines. Its exceptional ''terroir'', recognised through its Cru Classé status, results in wines of elegance and complexity with long term cellaring potential. The micro climate at Rimauresq is unique within the Appellation. The vineyards are located at an altitude of between 140 to 190 metres and are aided by a North-West orientation. The vineyards are lucky enough to get the benefit not only of the cooling Mistral winds but also the shade of the mountains above. It is this shade which gives a longer ripening period in the crucial weeks prior to harvest.

The terroir itself is of crystalline rock with sand and gravelly soil. It is this diversity that allows Rimauresq to excel in all three colours red, white and rosé.

Nine noble grape varieties are found at Rimauresq: Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan for the reds, Rolle (Vermentino) and Ugni Blanc for the whites and Cinsault, Mourvedre and Tibouren for the rosés. At Rimauresq we keep only the best fruit from the vineyards. This dedicated approach, combined with a modern gravity fed winery, allows Pierre Duffort and his team to focus on producing the very best Provence has to offer.

Some notable dates in the history of Rimauresq:

1882:The vineyard is devastated by phylloxera and is re-planted by Augustin Isnard.

1885:The Rimauresq is awarded a silver medal at Toulon for the quality of its wines and the re-planting carried out in 1882.

1941:The Rimauresq and some other notables domaines found the Syndicat des Côtes de Provence before being awarded d'Origine Contrôlée status.

1955:The A select few of the very best Provence domaines were awarded Cru Classé status, of which Rimauresq was one.

1988:The The Wemyss family, from Scotland, acquires Rimauresq from the Isnard family.

Pierre Duffort, Senior Winemaker/Director

Pierre has many years of winemaking experience within Appellation Côtes de Provence. Before heading up Rimauresq he was in charge of his family domaine, La Moutete at nearby Cuers. Since joining Rimauresq the domaine has won industry wide recognition for excellence, not least being awarded three stars in three consecutive years by Guide Hachette. No mean achievement!

Other key members of the team include:

Monsieur Blanc: Assistant winemaker

Monsieur Giovinazzo: Viticulturalist

Monsieur Taberner: Commercial Director

Monsieur Bertin: Oenologue

A.O.C Côtes de Provence Cru classé

All honour to the reds! At Rimauresq the elegance, the length and the smoothness dominate the wines. To capture all the subtility of the reds it is better to decant the wines into a carafe prior to drinking. The temperature to serve the wines at should be not more than 17-18 degrees. It is always better to drink a wine slightly to chilled than too hot! The wines should ideally accompany food, preferably based around red meat based dishes. Roast game is the perfect match.

A.O.C Côtes de Provence Cru classé

The White at Rimauresq has a seductive character. Aromatic complex and round, with good length, it will go equally well with either shellfish or just a simple piece of grilled fish. Be prepared for the Rimauresq whites to suprise you ! The wines have floral and mineral characters which benefit from being opened a minimum of half an hour before serving at a temperature of 12 degrees. It should be drunk within two years of release.

A.O.C Côtes de Provence Cru classé

The rosé have a superb aromatic subtility which naturally complements traditional Provence cooking. It is also worth trying these rosé with a range of other foods such as foie gras and chicken and, if you do, you will understand that rosé is more than just a thirst quencher!

These rosé, which have mineral and floral attributes, will also benefit from being opened at least half an hour before drinking and served at a temperature of 12 degrees. As with the white it should be drunk within two years of release.

The average age of the vines is 40 years with some Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon being in excess of 70 years old. The most recent plantings were carried out in the 1990s. There are between 3,600 and 4500 vines planted per hectare, with a space between the rows of between 2.1 to 2.5 metres. The vines themselves are either 'en gobelet' or on a trellised double cordon. Each vine is pruned to four spurs with two buds on each spur. Increasingly the emphasis has been on organic viticulture that has resulted in a steep reduction in the amount of herbicide and pesticide used, resulting in a greater emphasis on 'working the soil'.

All bunches are de-stemmed, except in the case of those which are fermented through carbonic maceration. The winemaking techniques used aims at achieving an optimal extraction of flavours and tannins (total or partial carbonic maceration, cold pre-ferment maceration). The reds are fermented at a controlled temperature in a sealed tank, being racked and pumped every day to submerge the cap, allowing the extraction of the polyphenols and aromas. After the fermentation stage the wines are macerated by daily plunging/rack and pumping in order to achieve optimal extraction. A section of the reds are then aged in oak barrels (600L demi-muits, French oak, average toast) for 10 to 14 months. A light filtering is done prior to bottling.

The fruit is harvested during the early morning to benefit from the low night temperatures. The bunches are then crushed and de-stemmed and undergo cold maceration on their skins for several hours. The grapes are then pressed and the free run juice separated. Subsequently, it undergoes a period of cold stabilization prior to fermentation at a low temperature for two to three weeks. After fermentation the wines are left on their lees with regular 'batonnage', improving the aromas. The wines do not undergo malolactic fermentation so as to preserve their acidity. Finally, the wines are filtered prior to bottling. Neither wines are matured in oak.

Rosé

Grape Varieties: Cinsault, Tibouren, Syrah and Grenache

Tasting notes: An aromatic and light blend with good acidity.

Cellaring: Up to three years.

White

Grape Varieties: Rolle (Vermentino) and Ugni Blanc

Tasting Notes:A crisp wine, balancing alcohol with acidity.

Vinification: A combination of mechanical and manual harvesting is carried out. The grapes are left to macerate on their skins for several hours prior to fermentation at a low temperature. The wine is left on its lees for three weeks with regular 'batonnage'. It then undergoes a period of cold stabilization prior to filtering.

Cellaring:Up to three years

Rimauresq is among the 14 vineyards from Provence recommended by the Wine Enthusiast Magazine USA.('The varied Colors of Provence' by Joe Czerwinski Of Wine Enthusiast Magazine, July 2008)

Côtes de Provence, the Great Tasting. RVF ranking 2008: ''the 'crus classés' from 1955 which have earn't their place ...Domaine de Rimauresq (white, rosé and red)is a wonderful cru classé'' (La Revue des Vins de France, July-August 2008)

QUINTESSENCE OF R RED 2005

“A selection of the best terroirs with olive mix notes and a nice elegance. This is a very balanced red wine, at the top end of a wonderful range.” Bettane and Desseauve in Terre de Vins, 1st January 2010.

RED R 2006

Decanter World Wine Awards 2009, Silver Medal. - “The R cuvee was much appreciated. In a very Provencal style, its mature cabernets are enhanced by spicy notes brought by the syrah. A nice classic of the appellation. […] Splendid color, dense, and full. Expressive nose of garrigue, open and harmonious. Nice and full matter, with a beautiful intensity in the mouth. Full body and length in the final note. Full and intense character.” 15/20 Ranked 24th wine among the elite red wines from Provence. La Revue du vin de France, April 2009

RED CLASSIQUE 2006

Bronze medal, 55th Competition of Great Wines of France, Mâcon, April 18th 2009. - Excellency award, Vinalies Nationales 2009 - “Eye:deep shiny grenat. Nose: begins to open on grilled, praline, subtly woody notes. Palate: tender, sweet, ample with a solid and regular tannin structure. Final: a particular wine from an aromatic point of view, fullness and balance, still far from revealing its full potential.” ***A quality wine to keep in sight. Guide des vins de Provence 2008-2009 - “Freshness and power, great length, on dark fruit notes: within the magnificent 2006 vintage, this red is a real accomplishment. A very complete wine, with a nice aging potential.” Les meilleurs vins de France 2010, RVF - “A straight-out red with crimson reflects colors this wine which nose is dominated by spices and black tobacco notes. We also find Provencal aromas of rosemary and black pepper. The palate is balanced and long with and elegant tannins structure.” Guide des Vins 2010, Official Selection by the Oenologists of France, 27th Vinalies Nationales - Côtes de Provence Cuvée Classique, 16/20 Le Guide des Vins 2010 Gault Millau

ROSE R 2009

“Darker than other rosés from this particular domains, and with some old-vine fruit. Creamy and balanced.*** The Decanter, July 2009, Margaret Rand - “Very nutty and the strangest smell of tinned tomatoes! Fresh and tastes distinctly of tomatoes. Provocative sting of acid. Subtle tannins and quite a lot of character. Probably a bit too quirky to suit everyone, but this grows on me. 15,5/20 www.jancisrobinson.com, September 23rd 2009, Tamlyn Currin, Provençal rosés

ESTATE ROSE 2008

“Light raspberry fruits, fresh delicate, juicy fruits, delicious for summer quaffing.” The Scotsman, Rose Murray Brown, July 9th 2009 - “Eye: pale pink with salmon reflects. Nose: intense, smoked, nice, spicy, liquorices. Palate: balanced, tender, with delicate aromas, nice length, mineral finale. Conclusion: a quality rosé, delicate and refined.”*** A quality wine to keep in sight… Guide des Vins de Provence 2008-2009 - Selected by the Rosé Research Center as a base for their Provence rosés color chart. - Selected by Harrods - “A pretty pale pink rose with a very delicate floral aromas and an elegant, refined palate showing gentle, candies red fruits. Predominantly Cinsault, Tibouren and a beneficial slug of Mourvèdre for structure.” Hennings, June 2009 - “Deep nose of wild strawberry. The palate confirm this first feeling, it is long and fresh. Rosé with barbecues and exotic meals.” Le grand guide des vins de France 2010, Bettane & Desseauve - “This estate, owned by the Wemyss family from Fife, is fast forging itself a reputation as the producer of some of the region’s finest rosé. Super pale in the glass, it has a delicate, nuanced, complete character. It’s difficult to find any fault. This is a class act, a wine one could simply drink all summer.” Scotland on Sunday, Will Lyons, 10th May 2009 - Rimauresq was recognized as a “key producer” in Provence in the September 2009 issue of Sommelier Journal/ Outstanding Recent Releases section. It was praised as a wine that “offers vivid notes of strawberry, lemon, Red Delicious apple, Asian pear, pomegranate, nectarine, hay bale and seashell. It is medium bodied and silky, with decadent, bright fruit at its velvety center, although tangy notes of lemon and grapefruit clamor for attention on the finish.” - Estate rosé 2008 awarded 86 points by the Wine Spectator, September 2009.

WHITE R 2008

“The R cuvee, more on the reserved side [than the estate cuvee] at this point, also develops a rootier trend.” Les meilleurs vins de France 2010, RVF

ESTATE WHITE 2008

“Savory and remarkably perfumes, the first white is a real treat in 2008, with minty notes in the final.” Les meilleurs vins de France 2010, RVF - “This crunchy, juicy white shows firm acidity behind the green apple, green peach and lemon curd notes, with hints of white pepper on the finish.” 86 points Wine Spectator, September 30th, 2009

Whisky Live- Belgium 13 et 15 mars 2009

Présentation du millésime Côtes de Provence HYERES le 23 mars 2009

Whisky Live- Marseille le 6 avril 2009

April in Provence New York 25 AVRIL 2009

Vinexpo Bordeaux 21 au 25 juin 2009

Whisky Live Paris 26 au 28 septembre 2009

Whisky Live Barcelone 4 et 5 octobre 2009

Vinisud Montpellier 22 au 24 Février 2010 Stand 5 C 47

pro WEIN Düsseldorf - 21 -23 Mars 2010 - Stand 7 AE 22

VINEXPO Hong-Kong - 25 - 27 Mai 2010