Château la Dournie

Château la Dournie is one of the older St Chinian properties, situated on the edge of the small town, with a large park of mature trees, as well as a wine cellar.  It is the property of the Estienne family and currently run by Véronique.   

 

It had been a while since I had tasted the wines so I was thrilled to see them at a recent tasting in London.  

 

2021 Le Classic de la Dournie Rouge    - £10.95 from The Wine Society

Good colour.  Some rounded spice on both nose and palate, with hints of tapenade and supple tannins.  The vinification is in concrete tanks and stainless steel vats, so refreshingly, no a hint of oak, just some wonderful southern sunshine in a glass.  And very easy drinking.  

 

2019 Etienne

Some stainless-steel tanks, some demi-muids and some barriques for ageing.  The flavours are in the same register, tapenade and spice and some lovely fruit, but with more body and weight and tempered by the oak, with a youthful streak of tannin.   Some ageing potential.  

 

2017 Elise

Based on 80% Syrah with 20% Grenache and all aged in barrique.  Quite solid and firm with a strong oaky presence, and even a tad woody on the finish, though with some underlying fruit.   I really felt that in this instance the oak was not doing the wine any favours.   The unoaked Classic was so much more appealing.