Aniane, Languedoc – France
Laurent Vaillé, a former physiotherapist, started this domaine in 1992 after having worked for some of greatest vignerons in France, including Gerard Chave from Hermitage and Coche Dury in Burgundy. For Laurent, it was a welcome return to his family’s wonderful heritage and he now has 11 hectares of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cabernet Sauvignon vines in Aniane (one of the most infamous villages in the Languedoc thanks to the somewhat unwelcome interest from players such as Mondavi).
His wines are sold on strict allocations around the world, and we are lucky enough to have been allocated just a few, which are certain not to wait around for long in our cellars.
As Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate says:
The Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon vines are situated in a Northerly aspect on limestone soil at 300 metres altitude, whilst the Mourvèdre faces due South on pierres roulées, like in Chateauneuf du Pape. Yields are kept down to a minimal 25 hl/ha thanks to bunch thinning and manual sorting of the grapes. He uses “reasoned” viticultural practices, keeping the use of chemicals to a bare minimum, cultivating the soil, removing leaves to let the generous sunlight into the canopy and performing a green harvest where necessary.
The winemaking is traditional in style, each variety being vinified separately using natural yeasts and long maceration. The wines spend up to 24 months in barrel (one third new), but the oak is seamlessly integrated even upon release.
