Domaine Gauby, `Vieilles Vignes` Rouge IGP Côtes Catalanes

Domaine Gauby is located close to the small town of Calce in the Roussillon. Now run by Gérard Gauby, his wife Ghislaine and their son Lionel (who is responsible for the winemaking) the domaine has a well-earned reputation for making wines of exemplary freshness in a hot climate. Gérard took over this family domaine in 1985 when it had just five hectares of vines, including three hectares of over 100-year-old vines planted by his great-grandfather. He has since grown the domaine to around 40 hectares and meticulously replanted all those recently acquired. Domaine Gauby sits among rolling hills, with a sweeping view of the Mediterranean on one side and a dramatic backdrop of the Pyrenees on the other. This unique climate and location expose the domaine to strong coastal and mountain breezes and a high level of sunshine.

Gérard has worked tirelessly to restore rich biodiversity in the domaine’s vineyards, certified organic since 1996. Following the principles of agroforestry, rows of almond and olive trees are now planted between the vines to protect them from the wind and to attract wildlife. The Roussillon has incredibly diverse soils of limestone, marl and schist which, combined with the multiple aspects within the rolling hills, have given Gérard the freedom to experiment and maximise the potential of each grape variety.

All the grapes are hand-harvested with low yields of 2 to 2.5 tonnes per hectare. ‘Jasse’ is a blend of Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains and a small percentage of Muscat of Alexandria. Twenty days of skin contact before fermentation, alongside ageing for seven months in Stockinger Austrian oak foudres, gives this wine an orange hue and expressive character. It has intense aromas of fresh peach and orange blossom on the nose while the palate is beautifully textured with floral notes and citrus fruit.

The ‘Calcinaires’ Blanc is a complex blend of Grenache Blanc, Chardonnay, Macabeu and Vermentino, sourced from 20 to 50-year-old vines. It is pressed directly with minimal sulphur and fermented using indigenous yeasts before spending seven months in old Stockinger Austrian oak foudres. The resulting wine is fresh with delicate aromas of white flowers, stone fruit and a long mineral finish.

The ‘Calcinaires’ Rouge is a blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Carignan, sourced from a selection of young vines. The grapes are whole bunch macerated for between five and 15 days, followed by fermentation with indigenous yeasts and eight months of ageing in both of Stockinger Austrian oak foudres and stainless steel. These winemaking choices ensure the final wine is fresh and vibrant, with notes of bright red and black fruit, wild rosemary and thyme, complemented by ripe, supple tannins. The ‘Vieilles Vignes’ Rouge is a harmonious blend of Grenache, Carignan, Syrah and Mourvèdre sourced from vines aged up to 125 years old. The blend undergoes a longer ageing period of 16 months in a mixture of old oak, concrete and 500 litre barrels, before ageing for seven months in bottle prior to release. The finished wine boasts rich fruit and notes of wild herbs, balanced by a lifted freshness and well-integrated tannins.