Domaine les Aurelles : Aurel 2017

Characteristics and tasting notes of Aurel 2017 from Domaine les Aurelles

Tasting

Colour
The colour reveals a garnet hue evolving towards subtle brick nuances, reflecting the long ageing of this red wine.

Nose
The nose reveals great aromatic complexity, blending notes of black fruit, raspberry and strawberry with touches of spice, dried herbs and olive. A mineral dimension also comes through with delicate hints of blood orange and charcoal, typical of its volcanic terroir.

Palate
The attack is fresh and fruit-driven, opening onto a generous, refined structure. The tannins, both firm and elegant, are perfectly integrated, while mineral and spicy flavours carry the wine through to a remarkably long finish.

Food and wine pairing
This wine pairs beautifully with refined meats or game dishes. It will, for example, wonderfully accompany duck with fruit or venison prepared with wild mushrooms.

Service and storage
To reveal its full complexity, it is recommended to decant Aurel 2017 before serving and to enjoy it at a temperature between 13 and 18°C. This wine can be cellared and will reach its peak for drinking up to around 2032, or even beyond under optimal conditions.

Other characteristics
This wine benefits from certification by the Excell laboratory, guaranteeing a total absence of pesticide and phthalate residues.

The precision and elegance of a red wine from Languedoc-Pézenas

The estate
Founded in 1995 by Basile and Caroline Saint-Germain, Domaine les Aurelles has established itself as a key reference in the Languedoc, France. Located on the Nizas plateau, the estate stands out for its commitment to biodynamics and very low yields. Since December 2022, the estate has been acquired by Matthieu Gufflet, while Sandrine Garbay oversees its management. The estate continues to produce wines of great purity, true to their terroir.

The vineyard
Spanning nearly 9 hectares, the vineyard benefits from a privileged geographical setting within the Languedoc-Pézenas appellation, some thirty kilometres from the Mediterranean Sea. The vines grow on very old Quaternary terraces, composed of rolled pebbles, schist, limestone and basaltic scoria of volcanic origin. This rare terroir, moderated by the influence of the Massif Central, allows for slow grape ripening. The estate applies strict biodynamic principles, with no synthetic fertilisers or pesticides, and deliberately limits yields to between 10 and 20 hectolitres per hectare.

The vintage
The year 2017 proved to be a major success for the region. Climatic conditions helped shape a harmonious vintage, producing grapes with fine balance and optimal fruit expression, ideal for crafting wines built for ageing.

Winemaking and ageing
The grapes are hand-harvested in small crates to preserve the integrity of the berries, followed by rigorous sorting. The estate's philosophy is based on minimal intervention, using indigenous yeasts. Aurel 2017 is aged for an exceptionally long period of 44 months in enamelled steel tanks. This choice of neutral vessels encourages slow tannin polymerisation and preserves the purity of the fruit as well as its mineral expression, without any oak influence.

Grape varieties
This wine is a blend of Mourvèdre (85%) and Grenache (15%).