Domaine La Croix Gratiot Rouge Cerise IGP Pays d'Herault 2025

Domaine La Croix Gratiot Rouge Cerise IGP Pays d'Herault

Region: Languedoc, France

Vintage: 2025

Bottle size: 75cl

Grape: Syrah

ABV: 12.5%

The `Rouge Cerise` boasts notes of ripe cherry fruit and hints of black pepper on the nose. On the palate, the tannins are smooth and well-balanced by a delicate freshness that carries the fragrant red fruit flavours onto the finish.

The Rouse Cerise is made from 100% Syrah. The vineyards for are situated near the village of Montagnac, just 10 minutes away from the Mediterranean coast. The vines are planted on loamy-limestone soils and are surrounded by garrigue scrubland. The proximity of the vineyards to the sea means cool maritime breezes moderate the climate, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and retain good levels of acidity, resulting in fresh and vibrant wines.

Grapes were hand-picked and sorted meticulously at the winery prior to crushing and a pre-fermentation maceration at low temperatures. Alcoholic fermentation lasted around seven days and optimum extraction of colour and tannins was achieved through daily punch downs of the cap. Unoaked, the wine remained in stainless-steel tanks until bottling.

For over 30 years Domaine La Croix Gratiot, which comprises 35 hectares in Montagnac, has been owned by brothers Yves and Hugues Ricome. After years of selling to their local co-operative, Yves started bottling his own wine in 2005 and bought his brother’s share of the domaine in 2009. His daughter Anaïs, who worked in New Zealand with Matt Thomson (co-owner of Blank Canvas), has since taken over managing the estate. Anaïs has driven a transition to biodynamic farming and gained organic certification from the 2021 vintage. She makes wonderfully pure, unoaked wines reflecting the potential of the local varieties. Her work and vision have resulted in the recognition of La Croix Gratiot as ‘the pinnacle of Picpoul de Pinet’ by French publication la Revue du vin de France.

https://croix-gratiot.com