Domaine de Roquemale 'Les Terrasses', Languedoc 2021
Vibrant in colour, this supple, approachable blend has vibrant aromas of wild blackberries, liquorice and rhubarb, a juicy palate and a bright, fruity finish.
The parcels are located in a small valley in Villeveyrac, with a distinctive microclimate which is protected by garrigue. The hot summer days are tempered by the effects of the nearby sea and Thau lagoon. The soils are made up of clay and limestone on a bauxite ore, which is rich in mineral content; the presence of iron imparts freshness and natural acidity to the wine. The vineyard is certified by Ecocert and treatments are limited to sulphur and copper, only when necessary. No chemical fertilisers are used, only organic products are employed to replenish the soil’s organic content. The soil is worked carefully throughout the year except for winter, when it is allowed to rest. The pruning methods are being gradually changed back to the traditional style of Gobelet, to accommodate the effects of climate change. Hand-harvested.
Each parcel was vinified separately. Selected and natural yeasts were used to start the fermentation, which took place at low temperatures, in order to retain the aromatic qualities. Maceration lasted for 10 days, with daily pumping over for optimal extraction. The parcels were deftly blended and the wine was matured in stainless steel vats for 6 months, with regular racking to retain all the vibrancy of the vintage.
| RRP | £19.75 |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Alcoholic strength | 13% |
| Country | France |
| Region | Languedoc |
| Grapes | Syrah 40%, Cinsault 20%, Grenache 20%, Mourvèdre 20% |
| Body | B |
| Contains sulphites | Yes |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Milk | No |
| Eggs | No |
| Organic | Yes |
| Biodynamic | No |
| Closure | Diam |
In September 2001, Valérie and Dominique Ibanez embarked on a new adventure, with the creation from scratch of the Domaine de Roquemale, in Villeveyrac, in the Languedoc. Seduced by the terroir, the exposure of the vineyard and the potential of the grape varieties, they began to tame their 13 hectares of vines and learn the art of vinification. Roquemale translates in patois as ‘Bad Rock’, which has actually transpired to be the terroir’s blessing: the poor soils produce low yields of around 30hl/ha of highly concentrated grapes. The Roquemale terroir is an alchemy of blazing sun, cool nights due to the proximity of the Mediterranean Sea and the Thau lagoon, the surrounding aromatic garrigue and the limestone-bauxite soils. Valérie and Dominique produce sincere wines, which reflect this distinctive terroir from their certified organic vineyards.
