Domaine deL'Arjollle is part of the Indication Géographique Protégée of Côtes de Thongue Appellation. This appellation gives the winemaker more freedom to plant grapes such as the Zinfandel which would not be allowed for wine production under the rules of the Languedon-Roussillon Appellation d'Origine Protégée.
The Domaine is located in the attractive village of Pouzolles which is not far from the town of Pezenas. The Domaine has a wide range of soils and the grape variety is matched to the soil to produce some exciting wines which reflect the climate,weather and soil of the appellation.
Gravel soils are used for the production of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache grapes. The Syrah grapes used in the blend for their red Paradox wine are grown on calcareous marls and clay. Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes are grown on alluvial soils. Many of the Domaine's red wines are blended from grapes from the differing soils to add to the complexity of the blend.White grapes such as Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Viognier are grown on sandy marls which are mixed with limonite which contains iron oxide compounds.
At first we paid a visit to the modern winery and then tasted a full selection of the wines and some of these wines were tasted with the local cheeses.
My wife and I were completely impressed with all of the wines which we tasted as they had all of the concentration and complexity that one would expect of high quality wines. They were also bursting with fruit.
I could have bought a half case of each wine tasted but we were limited for space. So I selected two to take back to London.
The Paradox 2010 a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Grenache. This dry red wine was full of fruit with a hint of vanilla and spice and was concentrated and complex with a long length on the palate. Even though it had 14% alcohol it did not taste hot and all of the elements of the wine where well integrated. It had a high level of tannin which will soften with keeping and I shall not drink the first bottle for at least a couple of years. The wine is of exceptional value for money at 16.5 Eur a bottle.
Zinfandel 2010 another dry red wine with concentrated and complex flavours of red fruits: it was high in tannin which will soften and had medium acidity. It also had a flavour of liquorice and spice. All the elements of the wine were also well integrated. At 14.55% alcohol this wine did not taste hot either. I loved this wine. Despite difficulties with the wine authorities the Domaine has one hectare of Zinfandel planted in Pouzolles.
Both of these wines are really suited to be drunk with food and I would not recommend them for consumption on their own owing to the high alcoholic content.
The wine growing and making techniques combine all the best features of the old and the new to produce modern styled wines with more than a hint of classical quality.
The wines can be bought from the Domaine who will welcome you and if you cannot go to France you can obtain the wines from the Wine Society. If ever you are in the Pezenas area, a visit to Pouzolles is worth it as the village is dominated by a magnificent twin towered 15th century castle. My photograph does not do it justice.
http://www.arjolle.com/shop/wine-list-p1.html
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