More Roussillon Highlights

 

There were numerous highlights in the most recent Roussillon tasting.  

Cami del Drac was new name to me with a delicious Carignan, with rounded ripe fruit and supple tannins and a refreshingly modest 13%.  The label is linked to Terres Fidèles, who feature among the coups de coeur in my previous post.  

Chateau Planères is  another new name for me, although Gilles Jaubert is a fourth generation wine grower in Les Aspres. P de Planères, Côtes Catalanes is a pure Grenache Noir with some ripe perfume and silky tannins.

Dom Brial is the Rivesaltes coop, with Château Les Pins.  Dom Ici Blanc, a pure Macabeu, was light and saline on the palate.

Domaine La Part des Anges is another new name for me.  They are based in Caramany with15 hectares there and another couple in St Paul de Fenouillet.   David Loiret is also involved in the Muscadet estate, Domaine de la Noe.  2022 Parcelle Secrète is pure Carignan Blanc, with firm stony mineral fruit.  No oak, no malo and an elevage on lees.  And 2021 Rec des Abeilles comes from 100 years old Carignan Noir vines, combining ripe fruit and a fresh finish.

Domaine Sol Payré is another unfamiliar name, based in Elne, with 56 hectares.  2021 Memento is pure Carignan with sturdy ripe fruit and a fresh finish.   Classic Carignan.

In contrast, Domaine Treloar is a familiar name.  Jonathan Hesford and his wife Rachel are based in Trouillas where they make a varied range of wines.  Planète Rose stood out with some nicely rounded fruit and good mouthfeel. Le Rescapé is a pure Carignan,with some refreshing ripe fruit and more elegance than most.  Jonathan sees it as a summer red, but it has enough complexity to be more interesting than just simple drinking.  And then there are some more serious reds such as Motus that featured amongst the coups de coeur.  l don’t know why Jonathan doesn’t have a UK importer. He certainly deserves one.

The shippers Hallgarten have an excellent choice from Roussillon.  There is Château d’Ou, whose Infiniment de l’Ou Blanc is a Chardonnay from some of coolest vineyards of the region.  Lightly buttery and understated.  A southern Chablis!  And l’Orange de l’Ou, one of the few orange wines in the tasting,  was nicely characterful with a intense flavour of dry honey after three weeks on the skins in an amphora.

It was difficult to decide my favourite amongst the four wines from Domaine Gardiès.  Their white wine was in the coups de coeur line up.  Clos des Vignes is a single vineyard, a Côtes du Roussillon Tautavel and a blend of Grenache and Carignan.  It is rich and spicy, with quite a fleshy mouthfilling palate balanced with some sturdy youthful tannins.

Domaine Madeloc was well represented in the coups de coeurs, so no need to mention any more wines here.

2021 Domaine Becha Classique Rouge Côtes du Roussillon is ripe and sturdy with youthful  potential.   Mas Lavail was represented by just two wines.  

Maury la Tourèze was more opulent than the Côtes du Roussillon Tradition.   

The shipppers Hatch Mansfield were showing the wines of Domaine Bila Haut, which belongs to Chapoutier.  There was a serious range of three whites and five reds with subtle nuances of flavour and style, from Collioure and Latour de France and Lesquerde.  For sheer enjoyment l appreciated the simple Bila-Haut Blanc, a blend of Grenache  Blanc, Macabeu and Grenache Gris with some fresh juicy fruit.

They have been making wine at Château Corneilla since 1485.  William Jonquères d’Oriola is the 27th generation of the family.  With 95 hectares of vineyards in different parts of Roussillon, they make a variety of different wines.  lt was difficult to pick a favourite but I will opt for Cavalcade Blanc, a blend of Grenache Blanc, Macabeu and Vermentino, with some herbal notes and juicy fruit. 

Bruno Andrieu calls himself a a vintner creator.  He was showing three wines from three different villages, Latour de France, Caramany and Tautavel. Caramany had my vote with some ripe spice, a blend of Syrah, Carignan and a splash of Grenache noir.

Mas Baux outside Canet-en-Roussillon near the coast  produces 8 wines from 12.5 hectares.  La Vie en Rouge, a pure Syrah, makes a fresh peppery summer red when lightly chilled. The rest of the range is rather more substantial.

In conclusion a great tasting with some good discoveries.   And I have singled out Domaine Vaquer and Domaine Vial-Magnères for a separate post, coming up next.