Domaine Carterole, Esta Fête Rouge 2020

Producer: Domaine Carterole
Region: Roussillon, France
Grapes: Syrah, Grenache Noir
Style: Pink
Alc: 12.5%
Size: 75cl bottle
Notes: A direct press of both varieties together, aged in stainless steel tanks. Fruit comes from Joachim’s newer plots in Saint-André. The syrah adds a gentle tannic grip and bassy notes; while the grenache brings fruit and and zip. A lovely southern rosé to have as the seasons change.

Producer: Domaine Carterole
Region: Roussillon, France
Grapes: Grenache Gris, Grenache Noir
Style: White / Orange
Alc: 12%
Size: 75cl bottle
Notes: Equal parts grenache gris and noir from Joachim’s original plots in Collioure. The fruit is macerated together for 15 days, before being aged in fibreglass tanks for 7 months. Pithy but fruit-driven, with notes of cooked quince and plums, and a saline finish.

Producer: Domaine Carterole
Region: Roussillon, France
Grapes: Xarel-lo
Style: White
Alc: 10%
Size: 75cl bottle
Notes: The second iteration of Joachim and Caroline’s xarel-lo in Saint-André, planted in 2020. This vintage they opted to press it directly and age the wine in amphora, giving an earthy, moreish edge which contrasts with the clean and fresh profile. A delightful bottle to have as an aperitif!

Producer: Domaine Carterole
Region: Roussillon, France
Grapes: Vermentino
Style: Orange
Alc.: 13%
Size: 75cl bottle
Notes: A most exquisite orange from Joachim – that keeps getting better with every vintage. A long 6-month maceration in amphora, this Vermentino from the Côte Vermeille has wonderful aromatics, dense ripe stone fruit, and a complex salinity. One to savour slowly.

Producer: Domaine Carterole
Region: Roussillon, France
Grapes: Carignan
Style: Red
Alc: 12%
Size: 75cl bottle
Notes: The lightest of the reds. Full of sun and bright fruit.

Producer: Domaine Carterole
Region: Roussillon, France
Grapes: Syrah, Carignan
Style: Red
Size: 75cl bottle
Notes: Gentle fruit and savoury black oliveyness. Lighter and brighter than the Esta Fête but still full of warmth.

Producer: Domaine Carterole
Region: Roussillon, France
Grapes: Grenache, Carignan
Style: Red
Size: 75cl bottle
Notes: The hum of cicadas, the warmth of the sun.

Producer: Domaine Carterole
Region: Roussillon, France
Grapes: 80% Grenache, 20% Carignan
Style: Red
Alc.: 13.5%
Size: 75cl bottle
Notes: From Joachim’s original plots around Collioure, the grapes are destemmed and macerated in old large barrels, and then aged in smaller barrels. This is dense with fruit and heady with spice; a great expression of the region, with some lift that stops it being overwhelming.

Producer: Domaine Carterole
Region: Roussillon, France
Grapes: 80% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 10% Carignan
Style: Red
Size: 150cl bottle
Notes: MAGNUM Ageing in amphora gives this some lovely texture and bite, with some lovely lifted fruit on the palate.