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Domaine de Montcalmès, Coteaux du Languedoc
Frédéric Pourtalié
The talented young winemaker, Frédéric Pourtalié, started his career as a stagiaire with the illustrious Laurent Vaillé of Domaine de la Grange des Pères. He had inherited 25 hectares from his father, who sold his grapes through the co-operative, and after reflection and some re-planting, he produced a miniscule amount of wine in 1999, 2000 and 2001. From the 2002 vintage he vinified grapes from eight hectares, and he is aiming eventually to have a domaine of between 15 and 18 hectares. As you would expect from a disciple of Laurent’s, the yields are exceptionally low, and the wine is exceptionally concentrated. The vines with less potential will be grubbed up when his father retires in two years time.
The wine is from between 65% and 70% Syrah, with Grenache and Mourvèdre. The eventual aim is a wine in the proportion of 60% Syrah, and 20% each of Grenache and Mourvèdre. The parcelles and varietals are vinified separately, and the wine undergoes 24 months élevage in barrique, with the Grenache being transferred back to stainless steel after the first 12 months of oak ageing.
This is yet another domaine on the famous plateau near Aniane, with varying soil types, including friable limestone, and even the classic galets roulés of Châteauneuf fame. Frédéric is looking for very small yields, producing around 20 hectolitres per hectare from his old Grenache, 10 hectolitres per hectare from his Syrah, and only 30 hectolitres from two and a half hectares of Mourvèdre. The grapes are de-stemmed, and undergo a long cuvaison, followed by ageing in one to three year old barriques from Domaine de la Romanée Conti.
Quantities here are miniscule. Unfortunately we have now sold all the 2001, but
will be offering the 2002 next spring. If you would like to
reserve any, please let us know..
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