Domaine Les Aurelles - Coteaux du Languedoc Aurel blanc 2017
Languedoc
White
Sold individually
Drink or Keep
96/100
Bettane & Desseauve
"One of the greatest whites in the South of France".
"Aurel 2017 made exclusively from roussanne is impressively full-bodied with endless length, in the style of the very great whites from the northern Rhône Valley. Today, it's an essential reference in the Mediterranean arc." (Le Guide Bettane + Desseauve 2023) Produced in less than 3,000 units, this Gem from Languedoc spent at least 20 months in barrel to gain roundness and unparalleled complexity. A rare white wine that easily rivals the great whites of Burgundy or the Northern Rhône.
Features
Estate
Domaine Les Aurelles
Cuvée
Aurel
Vintage
2017
Designation
Coteaux du Languedoc
Region
Languedoc
Grape varieties
Roussanne
Terroirs
On hillsides on ancient Villafranchian sandy-clay terraces and basaltic scree.
Viticulture
Following organic and biodynamic principles
Harvest
Manual, stump sorting, 2-4 passages, yield around 20hl/ha
Breeding
22 months in 350-litre barrels and vats
Tasting & pairing
Nose
Aromas of candied citrus and yellow fruit with a mineral and floral touch.
Mouth
Fresh, smooth, round and complex
Serve
AT 12°C
Drink before
2030+
Production
Between 1,700 and 3,500 bottles
Food and wine pairing
Enjoy with roasted lobster, scallop risotto, sea bream with preserved lemons...
Domaine Les Aurelles
Coteaux du Languedoc
Expert opinion
Bettane & Desseauve
Wine rated (guide 2023) 96/100
Domaine rated (guide 2023) 4*Stars (Top-quality producers, the glories of French winegrowing)
About the wine:
Aurel 2017, made exclusively from roussanne, is impressively full-bodied with endless length, in the style of the great whites of the northern Rhône Valley. Today, it's an essential reference in the Mediterranean arc.
About the domain :
Basile Saint-Germain is a perfectionist who goes as far as he can, from the vine to the cellar, to make wines in the Pézenas area that meet his exacting standards as a wine taster. Close to Pézenas, some thirty kilometers from the Mediterranean, his Domaine des Aurelles, covering just ten hectares, enjoys a dream terroir, unique in its kind, combining basalt and gravel, and a breathtaking landscape stretching as far as the Cévennes. One of his most important demands has been that his wines stand the test of time, and he has been committed to this since the beginning of his adventure in 1995. Solen, the first cuvée, outshines most Languedoc wines, while Aurel is the grand vin. Both cuvées are marketed after a long maturation period in the bottle, and are wood-free. Aurel blanc is unique, released after several years in the cellar: this is a great gastronomic wine, one of the most advanced bottles in the Languedoc quality approach.
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Domaine rated (guide 2023) 3*Stars (They represent the excellence of the French vineyard. The best terroirs cultivated by the greatest winemakers. Tasting their wines is always a magical experience)
About the domain :
Since 1995, Basile Saint-Germain and his wife Caroline have been working this vineyard on the Villafranchian slopes around Nizas with an ecological approach that borders on the priestly (no fertilizers, weed-killers or pesticides). Low yields, acute attention to detail, a rare willingness to release bottles only after very long ageing in enamelled vats: everything here contributes to making civilized, digestible wines with subtle fruit, polished and slowly mellowed by time. However, the pleasure is not always immediate: even after several years in bottle, the wines are sensitive to temperature and service. We are keeping a close eye on the development of this estate.
Customer reviews
Customer rating
5/5
out of 1 review
Note and review by M. MAX H. Published on 17/08/2024
See all reviews from this customer
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