Domaine les Aurelles : Aurel 2017

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Aurel 2017 Red from Domaine les Aurelles

Tasting

Appearance

The wine shows a pale yellow hue enhanced by subtle green highlights.

Nose

The nose is initially discreet before opening up generously with aeration. It then reveals aromas of lemon cream, chamomile and apricot, accompanied by notes of hawthorn. As it opens, fragrances of orange cream, peach and nutmeg emerge, along with hints of candied citrus, yellow fruit and a mineral-floral dimension.

Palate

The attack is defined by its freshness and fruitiness. The palate then develops toward a creamy, round and complex texture, with remarkable breadth. Touches of seeds and spice add dryness and liveliness, perfectly balancing the wine’s richness. The finish lingers impressively.

Food and wine pairings

This white wine is an ideal match for roasted langoustines, a scallop risotto, or sea bream with preserved lemon. Its structure allows it to elevate delicate fish and seafood dishes.

Serving and cellaring

Aurel 2017 is served at a temperature of 12°C. It is recommended to open the bottle a few moments before serving or to decant it, allowing the wine to fully reveal its aromatic complexity. This wine can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve through around 2030.

An exceptional pure roussanne from Languedoc-Pézenas

The estate

Founded in 1995 by Basile and Caroline Saint-Germain, Domaine les Aurelles has established itself as a benchmark in Languedoc. Basile, a former associate of Château Latour, and Caroline, with seven years of experience in Cognac, set up their estate near Pézenas, in Nizas. Since December 2022, the property has belonged to Matthieu Gufflet, a Bordeaux-based entrepreneur at the helm of several prestigious estates, including Château Guiraud. Today, the estate is run by Sandrine Garbay, former cellar master at Château d’Yquem. The domaine farms 8.5 hectares of vines according to rigorous biodynamic principles, with yields deliberately limited to 20 hectoliters per hectare. Renowned for wines of exceptional elegance and great aging potential, Domaine les Aurelles has earned a four-star rating from the Revue du Vin de France.

The vineyard

Aurel Blanc comes from a plot of around one hectare dedicated to white-wine production, located on the slopes of Nizas within the Languedoc-Pézenas appellation. The vineyard benefits from a unique terroir made up of ancient Villafranchian terraces covered with rounded pebbles and basaltic scoria of Auvergne volcanic origin. This rare geology gives the wine a distinctive minerality. The Mediterranean climate is tempered by the proximity of the Massif Central, helping preserve freshness and aromatic precision. The vines are farmed biodynamically, with meticulous attention paid to every detail in the vineyard.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes are harvested by hand in the morning to preserve freshness. The bunches are transported in small 15-kilogram crates and undergo rigorous sorting. Aurel 2017 benefited from 22 months of aging in 350-liter barrels, complemented by time in tank. Vinification takes place in temperature-controlled enameled tanks, chosen for their neutrality. Since 2005, all of the estate’s wines have been certified free of pesticide residues and phthalates by the Excell laboratory.

Grape variety

100% roussanne