Domaine Les Bruyères David REYNAUD

This vineyard is currently run by David Reynaud, and has been created at the 18th century by his ancestors. The vineyard has been a familial one for several generations, and moved more clearly toward winemaking after World War 2, when Georges Reynaud, David’s grandfather, enlarge the vineyard to a total surface of 17 acres. A special wine is therefore dedicated to Georges. The vineyard is no longer part of the Tain l’Hermitage cooperative winery since 1988. While the vineyard used to sell grapes to this group, it has now taken a shift, driven by David’s mother. Thanks to new decisions and investments, she has extended the vineyard (29 acres), has modernised it (through the mechanisation of the work in the vines) and has definitely moved towards winemaking to unavoidably give up polyculture, which was a common practice in the region until the 20th century. The vineyard currently covers 69 acres, of which 49 are owned. 35 acres are dedicated to the Crozes-Hermitage appellation and 14 acres are used to make local wines (Vins de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes). Since he began at the head of the vineyard, David Reynaud has moved towards organic farming and biodynamics to hold its convictions to make lively wines. The vineyard is certified in organic farming since 2003. Far from entering in a pure marketing approach, this choice was difficult to live with at the time and matches perfectly with David’s personality, who you are more likely to meet in its vines than in fashionable evenings. David is discreet, epicurean and loves good things, but also the quality of environment, for his life as for that of his vines: actually, to him, there is no difference since his vines are his life. Preventing, with homeopathy, rather than curing by some chemicals, illustrates his main belief in biodynamics. David Reynaud has quickly established himself over the Crozes-Hermitage appellation, producing attractive and gourmet wines, very juicy. Even after the first wines, for which the accusers noted a high note, David delights us with all his wines, the good as the not so good ones. Thanks to this steadfastness, only 10 years have been enough for David Reynaud to be placed in the five best winemakers of the appellation. This deserved reputation is above all due to the red wines, but the vineyard also makes white ones, that deserve to gain high attention from the wine lovers. These are made in egg-shaped concrete vats to produce during fermentation a natural slow move called ‘vortex’, which results in the constant mixing of the light lees. This gives the white wines, besides the expressive and highly aromatic taste produced thanks to vat ageing, a full and delicate taste specific to the ageing process where light fees are mixed (which the Champagne producers master). David Reynaud is as talented, as curious and perfectionist. He has become an expert in syrah, a grape variety representing 87% of the vineyard’s vine population and works other grape varieties, such as viognier or merlot, to make local wines. He also makes a Cornas wine, organic and using biodynamics, for which he buys grapes to a colleague, friend and remarkable winemaker, Matthieu Barret. Let’s bet that this man will continue in the same way and let’s hope that one day, he will gain access to the fabulous Hermitage terroirs, because there are strong indications that he would be successful in the most famous appellation of the East Côtes du Rhône.