In 1997, Catherine Roque, already a vigneronne in the Vallée de L’Orb, acquired Mas D’Alezon and its 7 hectares in the northern corner of Faugères. The vineyards are in the village of Soumatre and, ranging from 350 to 450 meters in altitude, are the highest in the appellation. Catherine’s vineyard is certified organic and she employs bio-dynamic principles to enhance the health of the soil and the plants. Catherine grows Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah for her reds and Clairette and Roussanne for her white. The average age of her vines is 25 years, including plots of 70 year old Grenache and 80 year old Mourvèdre. Due to the combination of infertile soils and cool micro-climate, her grapes are very slow to ripen and yields are typically 20 to 25 hl/ha. The domain’s two red wines are vinified similarly.
The Montfalette is 80% Mourvèdre with the rest a blend of Syrah and Grenache.
Based on equal parts Grenache and Syrah brought up in tank, the 2021 Gigondas has an old school vibe in its red fruits, Christmas spice, flower, and white pepper-driven aromatics. Medium-bodied, pure, and silky on the palate, it should drink nicely right ...
This is an outstanding white of 91% Sauvignon Blanc with 8% Semillon and 1% Sauvignon Vert, the whole fermented in 92% French oak and the remainder in stainless-steel tank. Bright and fresh in peach and wet stone, it is nicely textured, with just enough w...