La Beaumarelle
Camille Philippe and Louis-Antoine Denis are developing a new estate in the village of Poujols, which is one of the more northern villages of the Terrasses du Larzac, near the Pas de l'Escalette. They have rented 5.5 hectares from Alain Gaujolle-Cazet, who retired last year, including plots in the hamlet of Lauroux, and old Carignan near the village of Pégairolles. As well as the Carignan, they have Syrah and Grenache, Pinot Noir and Merlot.
Camille initially studied biochemistry and then agronomy and then viticulture and winemaking at Montpellier. She finished her studies in 2023 and went to work for Alain. Louis Antoine’s father is a négociant in the Loire Valley in Sancerre and he was setting out to be a music composer, but wine is in his genes, and he too did a BTS at Montpellier and met Camille and they decided to do something together.
2024 was to be Alain’s last vintage at Domaine Gaujolle-Cazet, and he suggested that they rent some of his vines, so they worked together for the 2024 vintage and took over half of Alain’s vineyards, and are continuing to cultivate them organically. It was more difficult to find a cellar, but finally they found one in Poujols which was at one time used by Domaine du Pas de l’Escalette and is quite spacious for a village cellar. They used it for their first complete vintage in 2025. And the name la Beaumarelle comes from a lieu-dit in the village of Pégairolles.
2025 A Tempo, Blanc de Noir, IGP Hérault, Grenache - 17.00€
As they only took over Alain’s red vines, they made a white wine as a blanc de noir from Pinot Noir in 2024, and from Grenache in 2025. I wondered why they had not continued with Pinot Noir, but it suffers too much from the heat and produces too much colour. With the Grenache, there was a hint of colour, with a rounded nose and palate and good acidity, and a streak of tannin. A fresh juicy finish. It was fermented in vat and aged in barrel, with some very discreet oak on the palate.
2024 Cantabile, IGP Hérault – 12.00€
Pressed Merlot with a five-day infusion of Pinot Noir, with whole bunches. 50% of each variety. The colour is light red, resembling Pinot Noir and there was fresh red fruit. Medium weight with a tannin steak. Easy drinking. They didn’t make the blend in 2025 as there was too big a gap in the ripening time of the two varieties. In 2025 they started the harvest two weeks earlier, and with the same alcohol level. Tasting determines when they pick.
2024 Allegretto, Terrasses du Larzac – 17.00€
50% Grenache with 30% Syrah and 20% Carignan. They vinify each plot separately, as they are getting to know their vineyards. Fresh red fruit and pepper. Notes of the herbs of the garrigues. Good acidity and tannin. Youthful and juicy. Kept in fibre glass vats.
Andantino, IGP Hérault – 21.50€
A cuvée that Alain made from Pinot Noir, which they are continuing. They like the musical theme, as all four of their parents are musicians, including one professional. The grapes come from two plots, totalling 30 ares, lying at 420 metres, with a yield of just 15 hl/ha. It is a very stony, windy site. Aged in wood for nine months. Very good fruit; nicely savoury, medium weight with an elegant finish. A very successful Languedoc Pinot Noir. And dressed with wax capsules, done by hand.
Camille and Louis Antoine are at the beginning of their wine journey and I wish them every success. I greatly enjoyed their youthful enthusiasm. And their wines.
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