Domaine les Aurelles : Solen 2016

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Solen 2016 from Domaine les Aurelles

Tasting

Appearance

The color shows a light red hue with garnet highlights, reflecting a gentle extraction that respects the fruit.

Nose

The nose reveals fine aromatic complexity, with notes of ripe black fruit, sweet spices and Mediterranean garrigue. Mineral and smoky touches round out this very open, inviting bouquet, also revealing nuances of blackcurrant, truffle and cinnamon. A hint of licorice and menthol brings additional freshness to the overall impression.

Palate

On the palate, Solen 2016 charms with its delicacy and deeply original character. The tannins are very fine and subtle, contributing to a pleasant, velvety texture. The wine offers lovely breadth with juicy, intense fruit, while maintaining remarkable freshness and well-controlled precision. The finish stands out for its exceptional length, leaving a persistent impression of freshness with flavors of garrigue and wildflowers that linger for a long time.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with roasted or sauced red meats, game and lamb chops. It also matches beautifully with country terrines with Provençal herbs and pâtés. Its freshness also allows it to pair with delicate fish such as roasted red mullet, particularly when prepared with herbs or spices.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to serve Solen 2016 at a temperature between 14 and 16°C. Decanting one to two hours before tasting will allow the wine to fully reveal its aromatic bouquet. While ready to drink, this wine will benefit from additional aging in bottle and may evolve favorably over two to three decades.

A Languedoc-Pézenas red with a delicate character and volcanic minerality

The estate

Founded in 1995 by Basile and Caroline Saint-Germain, the Domaine les Aurelles spans around nine hectares in Nizas, within the Languedoc-Pézenas appellation. Since December 2022, the estate has been owned by Matthieu Gufflet, a Bordeaux-based entrepreneur who also owns Château de Callac, Château Guiraud and Château des Bachelards. The domaine has established itself as a benchmark in Languedoc thanks to exacting, respectful viticulture, earning three stars in the Revue du Vin de France guide and four stars in the Bettane & Desseauve guide. Basile Saint-Germain continues to support the estate to ensure a smooth handover of its winegrowing philosophy.

The vineyard

The Domaine les Aurelles vineyard lies in Nizas, within the Languedoc-Pézenas appellation, some thirty kilometers from the Mediterranean. The vines are planted on hillsides on very ancient Quaternary sandy-gravel terraces, covered by thick layers of rounded pebbles. The terroir’s defining feature is the presence of basalt scree from ancient volcanic flows, giving the wines remarkable minerality and distinctive freshness. The Mediterranean climate is tempered by the proximity of the Massif Central. The estate practices thoughtful viticulture, without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, with yields deliberately limited to around twenty hectoliters per hectare.

The vintage

The 2016 vintage in Languedoc stands out for its remarkable ripeness and exceptional balance. Climatic conditions allowed a complete expression of the Pézenas terroir, encouraging the development of ripe black fruit while preserving the freshness that is characteristic of the estate.

Vinification and aging

Solen 2016 was vinified with gentle extractions in heated enameled vats, preserving the grape’s innate purity. The wine underwent an exceptionally long aging period of 48 months in enameled vats, with no time in oak. This minimalist approach allows the wine to develop its aromatic complexity and natural harmony.

Grape varieties

Carignan (60%)
Grenache (40%)