Domaine Toupie

I have often enjoyed the vignerons independents tasting in Paris, but there is also a small version in London every year, which is good for a discovery or two, or an update.   So continuing the Roussillon theme of my previous post, but one, I was delighted to find Jérôme Collas from Domaine la Toupie at the tasting. His wine fared pretty well in Decanter's tasting, so unlike some of his confrères, he was not after my blood.  He explained how 2012 was his first vintage.  He is a trained oenologist, and used to work for the large cooperative, Mont Tauch in Tuchan, which once did so much to promote the wines of the Corbières, but has now fallen on hard times. Dominic George had already introduced me to one of Jérôme’s wines - see my post on Le Wine Shop from November. 

Jérôme has ten hectares, in four different plots, with quite different terroirs, with different soils, variations of limestone and schist,  and different aspects and altitudes, at Latour de France, in Maury behind Mas Amiel, dominated by the Cathar castle of Quéribus, and cooler vineyards at St Paul de Fenouillet, planted with Grenache Blanc, Syrah and Mourvèdre.  So it was a great opportunity to taste the range.

2014 Côtes Catalanes, Petit Salto

80% Grenache Gris, with Macabeu.  Aged in vat.  A pale colour, and quite a delicate nose with rounded white blossom on the palate.   Only recently bottled so needs to develop in bottle.

2013 Côtes du Roussillon blanc, Fine Fleur  – 10.00€

A blend of Grenache Gris, Macabeu and Carignan Blanc.  Spends six months in old wood.   Quite a firm stony nose, with some oak on the palate.  Rounded, textured and youthful.

2013 Côtes Catalanes Rosé Petit Frisson – 8.00€

Grenache Noir and Syrah.  Pressed juice and so a very pale delicate colour.  Delicate nose, but with more weight on the palate. Nicely balanced.

2013 Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Pirouette – 8.10€

A blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah.  Carbonic maceration for the Syrah.  Quite a rounded ripe spicy nose and palate.  Warm but not heavy, with supple tannins.  Ripe and elegant, with a harmonious finish. 

2013 Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Quatuor – 10.00€

Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Carignan.  Medium colour.  Quite firm, slightly leathery nose, and on the palate.  A rounded finish.

2013 Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Volte Face 

33% Mourvèdre,, 25% each Carignan and Syrah and the balance Grenache Noir.  Aged in oak for nine months.  Quite firm and structured, with a youthful oaky palate.  Firm tannins and tight knit with plenty of future potential.

2013 Maury Sec, Sur Un Fil 

70% Grenache with 25% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre.  Aged in vat rather than barrel.  Deep colour.  Quite a sturdy nose.  Ripe rounded fruit on the palate, balanced by a streak of tannin.  Sunny and supple. 

2013 Maury Blanc, Tertio – 8.00€

Pure Macabeu and 15⁰.  Light colour.  A rounded honeyed nose, and a note of pears and more honey on the palate.  Perfect with Roquefort, suggested Jérôme.  I couldn’t disagree.