Languedoc RoussillonDomaine Clos du Rouge Gorge

Cyril Fhal took over a small domaine, le Clos du Rouge Gorge, in 2002. Its 5 ha are spread on the hills of Latour de France, a small picturesque village, 20 miles from the Mediterranean with Perpignan as its nearest city.

Working outside the Roussillon Villages AOC whose requirements, he believes, make wines that are contrary to the tradition, soil and climate of Roussillon, the vineyards are planted with Carignan, Grenache and Cinsault for the reds and Macabéo for the whites. Half of his vines are between 50 and 100 years old and yields are particularly low (12 to 25 hl/ha), which are a strong proof of quality.

The soils (gneiss and orthogneiss) and the orientation of the plots (East and North) help to produce fresh, mineral and beautifully balanced wines with an intense fruit quality and a long terroir-driven finish. In order to preserve the soil, the principles of bio-dynamic viticulture are followed to the letter and compost has replaced chemical fertilizer. Careful grape selection, gentle handling of oak, minimal sulphur and the absence of yeast combine to produce these stunningly individual and expressive wines.