Domaine Madeloc Serral Rouge, Collioure 2021
Opulent and juicy, with inviting aromas of sweet spice, ripe red fruits and wild strawberry. Smooth on the palate, with supple tannins and beautiful balance through to a satisfying finish.
The estate vineyard is located in the AOP Collioure, where the steep, sloped terroir is planted on terraces to enable cultivation. The climate is dry and very hot during the summer, which naturally reduces the risk of disease and the mitigating sea winds bring minerality and elegance to the wines. The grapes used to produce Serral come from the inland parcels on the estate, which benefit from a greater diurnal temperature difference, than the vines planted closer to the coast. The plots for Serral are planted at low altitude and benefit from daily humidity, where the grapes develop pleasant and fruity aromas. The vines are trained on stakes, which allows for larger canopies to offer the fruit shade from the hot sun. The vines are planted at a high density, which encourages the vines grow deep roots to reach the limited water supplies. Three hectares of plots are weeded by hand. The schist soil is made up of shale which favours a continuous diffusion of heat to the vines. The vines are hand-harvested at optimal maturity.
Each parcel was vinified separately. The grapes were completely destemmed and underwent cold pre-fermentation maceration. Vinification was traditional and aimed to preserve the fresh fruit aromas. Pumping over and punching down of the cap ensured the desired level of aromas, colour and fruit flavours. Warm post-fermentation maceration encouraged the extraction of silky tannins. The wine was aged for 15 months in barrels, without any influence from new oak.
| RRP | £23.50 |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Alcoholic strength | 13.5% |
| Country | France |
| Region | Roussillon |
| Subregion | Collioure |
| Grapes | Grenache Noir 60%, Mourvèdre 30%, Syrah 10% |
| Body | C |
| Contains sulphites | Yes |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Milk | No |
| Eggs | No |
| Organic | No |
| Biodynamic | No |
| Closure | Cork |
Domaine Madeloc is situated in the stunning appellation of Banyuls sur Mer, in the French Roussillon region, which borders onto Catalonia. Winemaker Pierre Gaillard grew up in vineyards, at the age of 12 he was found ploughing the family vineyard by horse. Naturally, he followed his love of farming and viticulture and went onto study oenology in Montpellier. Upon graduating, he became the vineyard manager for Guigal and in 1981, he set out on his own buying his first parcels of land in the Rhône Valley. However it was Pierre’s passion for the schist soils and slopes that drove him to the Catalan country and in 2002, Pierre purchased Domaine Madeloc. In 2009, Pierre’s daughter Elise joined in him at the Domaine, which now covers 18.5 hectares of mountain and coastal vines. Together they produce clear, precise and fruit-forward wines from the estate’s dramatic slopes that overlook the Mediterranean Sea.
