Théodore Planas Rastoin: Farmer, Baker, Winegrower
Simplicity in approach, precision and balance in result, it is the same feeling that animates Théodore in his wheat fields, in front of his ovens in the bakery or in the middle of his vines.
Its story begins in 2008, when Théodore took over two family plots of fallow land covering 2 hectares, in the prestigious Palette appellation, near Aix-en-Provence.
They are located in the middle of a natural cirque carved by the Arc river, surrounded by garrigue: rockroses, rosemary, and groves of oak trees. They rest on the lacustrine limestone of Langesse, composed of limestone scree on the surface, making the soils poor and stony.
In parallel, Théodore started a grain farming business in 2010, then a bakery in 2012, using heritage varieties of wheat, rye, and einkorn. The project of returning to Provençal mixed farming took shape over 10 years, thanks to his passion, determination, and courage.
Théodore's winery is not located within the Palette appellation, so his wines cannot bear that prestigious designation. His vines are certified organic and vinified without the addition of any oenological products. Minute doses of volcanic sulfur may be added at bottling if necessary.
Initially rustic upon opening, its wines reveal a complex and luscious aromatic palette, balanced by subtle mineral notes; they play with our senses, our memories, and
Théodore acquired old vine collections after selecting estates in the region that provided him with vine cuttings through massal selection. His vines are now reaching the age where they draw sustenance from the deep lacustrine limestone of soils that are poor and stony on the surface. The harvest is done by hand. After maceration for a few days, the juice is aged in barrels for 15 months on its fine lees, without racking.
A few minutes of aeration are recommended after opening Clémentine. With a light golden-yellow color and sparkling highlights, it unfolds with delicate and refined citrus aromas. The initial taste is a sensation of freshness, citrus, kumquat, mandarin, and subtle bitterness, followed by a beautiful salinity reminiscent of candied citron.
This is a wine that delights with its aromas and flavors, which evolve subtly as it opens up. There's a sense that the entire structure of the wine hangs by a thread, a perfect balance of acidity, and subtle smoky and saline notes. Clémentine promises to enchant us now and for the next three to five years.
The Magician: A skilled swordsman!
The Magician is the first card of the Tarot of Marseille and symbolizes the act of beginning something. It represents a project, a new idea, the start of an activity that opens up future possibilities.
Le Bateleur comes from vines replanted in 2008 with grape varieties endemic to Provence (syrah, grenache, cinsault, carignan).
The grapes are harvested by hand. They are fully destemmed before macerating for two weeks and aging in barrels for 15 months. Théodore intervenes as little as possible and does not perform any pump-overs or punch-downs.
With its light red color, not very intense with purple reflections, Le Bateleur surprises us with its expressions of very delicious black fruits and remarkable freshness.
A few minutes of aeration are recommended to dissipate the slight reduction upon opening. Then, Le Bateleur reveals itself to be a luscious, delicate wine, subtly balanced. We eagerly savor its fruity notes of cherry, blackcurrant, and blackberry. With delicate spicy hints, we move towards expressions of dried herbs, without excess, and a floral character enlivened by notes of violet. The finish is persistent, balanced by mineral notes; a freshness and lusciousness give it a formidable savoriness. A truly sharp blade, this Le Bateleur.
1 comment
J’ai découvert Clémentine Chez French Theory et j’ai adoré cette cuvée. Une vrai découverte et une originalité peu comparable. Bravo Théodore