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Domaine Virgile Joly, Coteaux du Languedoc, Vin de Pays, Carthagène
Virgile Joly
Virgile started his domaine in March 2000, with 60 ares en fermage, followed by other small parcelles rented during the spring. Up until shortly before the 2000 vintage, he hadn’t even found anywhere to make his wine. He now has around 10 hectares, including some grapes at Gignac which at present are sold to the co-operative. The vineyards that he vinifies himself are all around Saint
Saturnin.
Before settling in the Languedoc, Virgile, who comes from a winemaking family in the Ventoux region, had worked as a “flying winemaker”, as far afield as Chile, as well as stints in southern France at the Saint Tropez Cave Co-operative, Domaine de Virginie, and with his friend and ours, Olivier Jullien. He now has nearly ten hectares, mostly rented, and including some superb old vines of Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault and Syrah. His
Vin de Pays is from Grenache, Carignan and syrah, all of which were de-stemmed, and given a long cuvaison. The wine is peppery, spicy and juicy, powerful, but with supple tannins, and is absolutely delicious.
The 2001 Coteaux du Languedoc is elegant, supple and fine, with a hint of toasty oak harmonizing with firm ripe fruit.
He also produces a small quantity of Carthagène, a local speciality, produced from grape juice muted with alcohol. His version is particularly unusual, from white table grape varieties Servan and Chasselas, with a touch of Syrah for colour. Very perfumed, reminiscent of violets and roses, a wonderful aperitif.
Virgile’s struggles and triumphs over a year in the vineyard can be followed in Patrick Moon’s excellent new book – “Virgile’s Vineyard”, published by John Murray.
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