Schiste 2020, Domaine des Ardoisières

The definitive benchmark from the French Alps. The 'Schiste' 2020 by Domaine des Ardoisières is celebrated as one of the most iconic natural wines from Savoie. Guided by the visionary Brice Omont, this estate has achieved legendary status. Grown on breathtakingly steep alpine slopes, this cuvée delivers a rare synergy of opulent texture, razor-sharp mineral tension, and profound culinary complexity.

On the nose, it reveals a refined bouquet of ripe pear, apricot, rosehip, and wild alpine herbs, backed by subtle notes of lightly toasted hazelnut and flint. On the palate, the wine shows tremendous structure: a seductive, silky creaminess perfectly counterbalanced by an intense, crystalline salinity. The acidity is energetic and focused, driving a long, vibrant, and incredibly refined finish.

Key Highlights

• Terroir: Sourced from dizzyingly steep slopes (up to 60% incline) with south to south-east exposure in Cévins (IGP Vin des Allobroges). The soil consists entirely of mineral-rich slate (schiste).
• Grape Blend: 40% Jacquère, 30% Roussanne, 20% Malvoisie (Pinot Gris), and 10% Mondeuse Blanche from old, hand-farmed vines.
• Winemaking & Ageing: Spontaneous fermentation using native yeasts, followed by 12 months of maturation in neutral oak barrels (no new oak) to preserve pure terroir expression. Bottled under natural winemaking principles, unfiltered and with minimal intervention.
• Tasting Profile: Opulent, saline, and mineral-driven. Notes of ripe pear, apricot, rosehip, alpine herbs, toasted hazelnut, and an intense saline finish.
• Ageing Potential: Highly impressive now, with the backbone to cellar gracefully over 5 to 10 years.

Food Pairing

• Meat & Poultry: Outstanding alongside pan-seared veal sweetbreads, roasted poultry with cream and morel sauce, or duck breast.
• Fish & Seafood: Excellent with richer fish dishes, such as Dover sole in butter sauce or grilled lobster.
• Cheese: A spectacular match for aged hard mountain cheeses like authentic Beaufort d'Alpage or aged Comté.
• Serving Suggestion: Decanting for approximately 30 minutes prior to serving at 11°C to 13°C in generous crystal glasses is highly recommended.

The Terroir of Cévins

The vineyards of Cévins represent one of the most extreme viticultural landscapes in the world. Deep-rooted vines bore into solid slate bedrock (schiste). Poor soils, combined with intense sun exposure on steep southern slopes and cool alpine air currents, grant the grapes extraordinary concentration coupled with a hallmark saline drive.

About Domaine des Ardoisières

Domaine des Ardoisières, directed by Brice Omont, is the undisputed pioneer of high-end alpine winemaking. Operating under a strict biodynamic ethos with immense respect for indigenous grape varieties, Omont produces natural wines defined by breathtaking energy, purity, and gastronomic stature.