MONTIRIUS, AOC GIGONDAS, AOC VACQUEYRAS, AOC CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE

Montirius covers the wine classification areas of Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Côtes du Rhône. Christine and Eric Saurel are the fifth generation of winemakers who took over the family Domaine in 1996.
After meeting François Bouchet (a biodynamic winemaker from the Loire) in 1996 they converted their 60 hectare farm to biodynamic viticulture. The maturation is done exclusively in concrete vats without interior coating and in bottles, to allow the full expression of the fruit. Montirius wines are characterized by their transparency, balance, freshness and minerality.
While being approachable early on the release, they also age superbly (particularly the very special and rare Vacqueyras Blanc “Mineral”).

DOMAINE ROCHE-AUDRAN

VINCENT ROCHETTE, AOC CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE

Domaine Roche-Audran was established in 1998, the year in which I decided to leave the cooperative winery system in order to produce my own wines and explore the specific characteristics of my vines. The estate was initially purchased by my grandfather over half a century ago and today the vineyard has vines aged from 35 years old up to nearly one hundred years old. By respecting my vineyards and preserving the harmony of the ecosystem, I strive to make wines which are true expression of the place. I only use natural products for fertilization and plant protection. Since 2006 we employ biodynamic principles throughout the vineyards. Furthermore, for many years now, all the activities in the vineyard and the winery are conducted in harmony with cosmic cycles. It is my pleasure to introduce you to our wines. Vincent Rochette.

SAINT ANDRÉ DE FIGUIÈRE, AOC CÔTES DE PROVENCE, IGP VAR

Wine has been made in Domaine Tempier as far back as 1834, but the winery owes its iconic status to Lucien and Lucy (Lulu) Peyraud – a charismatic couple who inherited the Domaine in the 1930ies. For decades, they worked tirelessly, placing Bandol on the map of the finest wines of France and reclaiming the reputation of Mourvedre – the principal grape variety of the area. 38 hectares of the Tempier’s vines are planted on a mixture of clay and limestone, mostly on the terraced slopes. Predominating Mourvèdre is supplemented by Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Carignan, while the white varieties are in minority. The grapes bask in full sun and the cooling sea breezes bring much needed relief to the vines. Farming has always been organic, so the move to biodynamics over the last ten years came naturally.

While Domaine Tempier is perhaps most known for the textural, food friendly Bandol Rosé enjoying a cult – like status, the age worthy, rich and savoury reds they make are without a doubt in a league of their own!

DOMAINE DES DEUX CLÉS, GAËLLE&FLORIEN RICHTER, AOC CORBIERES

Domaine de Deux Cles is a realisation of a dream for the young couple Gaëlle and Florian Richter who met while doing an internship in Burgundy’s

Maison Champy, where they both got fascinated with the concept of biodynamic viticulture. In 2012 they moved to Languedoc in search of the land, planning to start their own winemaking adventure... Three years later they were able to purchase 12.5 hectares of old vines and settled down in the tiny, remote village of Fontjoncouse, nestled among the rugged landscape of Hautes- Corbieres. Their unique vineyards are spread over several valleys, mostly with north – north-eastern exposure and altitudes of 250- 350m, which provides a unique microclimate, one of the freshest terroirs in the region.

We have instantly fallen in love with the range of their authentic, transparent wines which reflect the uniqueness of the place in the best possible way. Although the way Gaëlle and Florian are working is inspired by Burgundy, their wines have their own identity: southern French concentration, purity as well as freshness and finesse!

 NEW   CHATEAU D'OUPIA, 
MINERVOIS (OUPIA)

Everyone talks about the new quality of wines from the Languedoc. For Vinostito, this does not mean the ubiquitous varietal bottlings from irrigated flat vineyards but the wonderful wines coming from the best hillside vineyard sites in AOCs like Minervois, Corbières and Coteaux-du-Languedoc. And Château d’Oupia is one of the best.

André Iché passed away in 2007 and was succeeded by his daughter Marie-Pierre, who has expanded the vineyard holdings and now vinifies several cuvées of Minervois. The Minervois Tradition is 60% Carignan (from vineyards up to 100 years old), 30% Syrah and 10% Grenache. It is aromatic, full, densely coloured, with a long finish of dark fruits. The wine is elegant and balanced and enjoyable to drink young or aged. “Robert Parker has consistently praised this estate and rated the “Tradition” a “best buy.” He wrote: “Château d’Oupia has produced the ideal bistro wine. Dark, ruby-coloured, wonderfully clean and pure, with an exuberant personality and gobs of rich, peppery, red and black fruit... Bravo to proprietor Iché!”

These wines are a “sure bet” for quality and offer unbeatable value.

 NEW  ANNE GROS-JEAN PAUL TOLLOT, MINERVOIS (CAZELLES)

A Burgundian in the Languedoc!

Though synonymous with Burgundy, Anne Gros and husband Jean-Paul Tollot (of Tollot-Beaut fame) have been cultivating vines in the Cazelles area of the Minervois since 2010. They chose Cazelles for the diversity of its soils, comprising limestone, clay and sandstone and for the privileged environment at the foot of the Black Mountain and it’s altitude of 220 metres (identical to Vosne- Romanée). The region boasts the cool elegance of Burgundy and the warm soul of southern France.

It is not unfair to say that Gros was “taken aback” at first by the press resistance to her pricing. The press said pricing was above the traditional range. Gros replied that the quality of her wines was above the traditional range, citing Mas de Daumas Gassac and other vin de pays as “out-performers” in their respective regions and which command higher pricing. Gros produces a quality unrivalled in the Minervois and her arrival has caused quite a stir. Several years on and Gros’s Minervois wines have come to be recognised as a benchmark and prove the point that the region has outstanding potential. Interestingly, all the wines have Gros’s signature elegant stamp. Quality follows Anne Gros in everything she produces.

 NEW  DOMAINE GUY FARGE, ST JEAN DE MUZOLS, HERMITAGE

History

The first winemaker of the Farge family started his activity in 1920 with 12 hectares. After 3 generations of growing vines and being part of the Coopérative, Guy Farge decided to vinify his grapes himself and in 2007 created his first cuvée. Since then, he constantly enhanced the quality of his vines, bringing more methods from organic viticulture and reintroducing the work with the horse in his plots. In 2018 his son Thomas came back from Chicago where he did his MBA and has now taken the reins at the estate. Thomas brings ambition, ideas and a clear vision of what he wants his wines to be.

The Domaine & the philosophy

The estate now represents 22 hectares and the vines spread over several appellations including Saint Joseph, Condrieu, Cornas and Saint Péray. The range typifies the red and white wines of the Ardeche region, expressed in his beautifully crafted red and white generic Ardeche wines. Farge also has some vines in Saint- Peray and makes a lovely example from silex soils. Perhaps it is his glorious red and white Saint-Josephs that speak loudest. Vinostito’s preference has always been to work with wine makers whose passion is soil & typicity, thus producing wines which are alive, vivid, strikingly fresh (as in airy, energetic and transparent), mineral and speak of their origin. This is the Farge mantra and you will find all of these qualities and characteristics in his wines.

The Press

“These are brilliant examples of the terroir of the northern Rhone. White and red are equally impressive. The domaine has increased its international footprint under Thomas - always a tell- tale sign of recognition. If you are a fan of this appellation, do not miss Farge’s superb offerings”... Wine Spectator.

 NEW   MARTIN TEXIER, NOTHER RHONE (BRÉZÈME) 

“I settled in 2015 in Saint Julien en Saint Alban in the Northern Rhône Valley, first working on my own project for 3 years and then in 2018 I also taking over my father’s vines. I am now working organically 10 hectares of vineyards and making all the wine in my cellar. A part of the production is then taken by my father for his cuvées, and I keep the other half for my own line of wines.

My goal is to make wine as simply as possible and cuvées that I like to drink. Through my little experience and my father's, I adapt my cuvées each year to be as close as I can to the style I like.

I have just finished building my new cellar, a project that has taken me several years to develop and 18 months in the making…

Some parcels I have planted while settling are reaching production these years and it's really gratifying. I am now thinking of planting new varietals and to diversify with olives and fruits. My girlfriend with whom I live, raises goats, makes goat cheese, and grows chestnuts. I spend part of my time helping her on her farm.”