Domaine de Malavieille

Situated in the foothills of the Terrasses de Larzac, the 32 hectares of vines of the Domaine de Malavieille stretch out into the inhospitable landscape of deep red basalt, created 250 million years ago by the eruptions from an extension of the volcanic chain of the Massif Central.

Five generations of vignerons have worked the land since 1881, and currently the Bertrand family run the vineyard. Recently they have employed Eric, a young winemaker from Meursault in Burgundy, to inject new life into their wines, and he has been winning awards and medals on a regular basis ever since.

The Domaine de Malavieille

He works with seven different grape varieties – some of which are rarely, if ever, found in the Languedoc – to great effect, tapping into his experience in Burgundy to create new styles and subtle nuances in his wines, and in the process clearly setting them aside from the more conventional wines of his neighbours.

Basalt terroir of vineyards

In recent years the Bertrand family have moved towards organic wine making and are now authorised to label their wines as "Vins issus de raisins récoltés en Agriculture Biologique". Effectively this means that the use of pesticides and chemicals is avoided by using only natural products.

The house & chais

We are offering a mixed case of 3 bottles of each of -

Charmille Blanc 2008 £5.95 Vin de Pays d’Oc Made from vines situated along the steep slopes which lead up to the base of the old 14^th century château, this is made from an eclectic combination of Sauvignon Blanc, Terret, Chenin Blanc with the judicious addition of some Chardonnay and Viognier. Yields are only 18hl/ha. The wine is vinified in stainless steel and left on the lees to extract maximum fruit flavours. It has a mouthwatering fresh floral nose, while on the palate it is vibrantly fruity with good concentration, with honeyed lemon zest flavours and lovely mineral acidity. It is delicious as an aperitif or with fish or fowl.

Charmille Rosé 2008 £5.95 Vin de Pays d'Oc Another interesting mix – Cabernet sauvignon, Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah. This has a delicate, pale rosé colour, with a beguiling nose of strawberries and cassis. This leads into a delicious mouthful of strawberry/cassis fruit with mineral and aromatic undertones. It has a zingy crisp finish and great length. Perfect as an aperitif or with picnics, barbecues, salads and pasta. This has to be the best Rosé we've found for several years!

Charmille Rouge 2007 £5.95 Vin de Pays d’Oc The red is equally unusual – being a blend of 70% Merlot with Portan and Syrah. The Portan, a cross between Grenache and Portugais Bleu, adds colour and fruit. Some of the wine is aged for 7 months in old oak barrels, to improve complexity without making the wine woody. The results are superb! The wine is deep in colour, there is an expensive nose of gentle oak and cassis, and on the palate it is bursting with Merlot flavours with hints of cassis and fruitcake. It is lovely now but will develop further over the next two years. Guide Hachette 2008 has just awarded it a well-deserved two stars!

Les Petits Dragons NV £7.95 Vin de Table Just when I thought things couldn't get any better, Eric produced this amazing white wine. This is made from a combination of Petit Manseng, normally a native of Jurançon, and Chenin Blanc. The Chenin Blanc comes from two sites - one to produce maximum ripeness and the other to add minerality. Some of the wine is barrel-fermented. Because of the unusual combination, the wines has to be declassified as a Vin de Table. The nose is very ripe, with apricot and honey, and this carries through onto the palate, where there is great concentration, flavours of honey and apricots and great mineral acidity. It finishes very long. This is a stunning wine of great individuality and character, which can easily be drunk on its own but goes beautifully with many dishes, especially Thai or Chinese food.

Mixed Price : £77.40

- As usual please email, fax, phone or write to place your orders -