Le Soula – Terroir d’altitude
I came across Trigone at a shop called Vino Versum on Kaiserswerther Str. in Dusseldorf. The owner Mathias also imports and sells wine restaurants. We chatted about what he imports and where his wines come from, and he is a big fan of older Bordeaux and Southern France. That is how I ended up with this bottle of Trigone.
He explained that this one three projects by Gerard Gauby of Domaine Gauby. The winery is located in Fenouillèdes on the ancient route to Spain, situated between Catalonia and the Languedoc, but considered part of the Langedoc officially. This is an ancient wine growing region in the the Pyrenees, with rugged mountain tops facing the Mediterranean. The winery is 22 hectares and most of the soil is granite and decomposing granite. The vines are old with some having been planted in 1919.
They are now certified organic as of 2009 but have been working without chemicals since 2001 when Gauby and partners took over the property and started le Soula. The red grapes gown on the estate include the three classics of Southern France, Syrah, Carignan and Gernache. The Carignan was planted in 1943 and the older vines at the estate are old and gnarly bush/goblet trained. This is an picturesque area of rocky mountains and plains.
Tasting Notes: Trigone Red No. 14
The Trigone is blended in a solera style more common in Champagne or Jerez blending wines from several vintages. This particular wine bottling Red No. 14 is 70 % Syrah, 25 % Carignan and 5 % Grenache. A blend of these vintages; 2014 (20 %) 2013 (25 %) 2012 (35 %) 2011(18 %) 2009 (2 %) this is the “baby” wine from Le Soula. Typically Trigone has a higher percentage of Syrah and the La Soula has more Carignan and is not vintaged dated because of the blending. Instead you find a number on the label that can help to decode what is is the bottle
On the NOSE: dried branches, tart cranberries, oily black olives, purple flowers, light smoke, freshness and bright acid. Really lovely and interesting.
On the Pallet: Medium body, bright acid and grippy fine tannins. Lots of tobacco leaf, fresh crushed Provençal herbs, with red currants and under rip blackberries. The finish is savory and the ABV is noticeably low, adding up to great rustic wine that is also elegant at the same time.
Very cool wine!!! Cant wait to try the La Soula.
The producer has a great website http://www.le-soula.com/