The History of the Domaine des Aurelles
Basile and Caroline Saint Germain, a couple of passionate people
Basile and Caroline Saint Germain took over the estate in 1995. Basile studied oenology in Bordeaux and worked atChâteau Latourthen joined his wife Caroline in Cognac. From viticulture to blending, they learned all facets of the trade. With Caroline, they fell under the spell of the vineyards ofPézenasin the Hérault region, on the Villafranchian hills. They then adopted an organic approach, without herbicides or pesticides. With each passing vintage, their wines have established themselves as absolute benchmarks of theLanguedocBasile is a demanding and perfectionist winemaker who seeks above all a balance between man, the cycles of nature, and the fragility of the terroir. The couple pays meticulous attention to every detail. Their exacting standards and great passion are evident in the vineyard, the cellar, and even in the glass.
The terroir of Domaine des Aurelles
The best of Languedoc
The vineyard covers 9 hectares of vines on the Nizas plateau, very close to the Mediterranean. The proximity of the sea and the Massif Central mountains brings a great deal of freshness to the wines. In the vineyard, the couple works with strict ecological standards, using no fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides.
Carignan, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, and a small amount of Syrah are cultivated on the estate. The vines grow on rounded pebbles and basaltic scree from volcanic flows. The soil is rich in minerals: basalt. The estate is a proponent ofphytobiology: the in-depth study of the plants in order to avoid the use of fertilizers. The vineyard is certified inbiodynamicswith a highly environmentally conscious approach. The winemaker practices low yields, hand-harvesting, working the soil with horses, and low-temperature fermentation. The goal is to preserve the purest expression of the terroir.
The style of the wines
Solen and Aurel: 2 exceptional vintages
In the cellar, interventions are kept to a minimum. The grapes are hand-harvested into crates, then sorted before being taken to the winery. Since 2001, the grapes have been brought to the bioclimatic cellar built of solid stone. The wines are aged for several years with minimal sulfites, depending on the wine's specific needs. Everything is done to produce precise, vibrant wines that reflect the terroir ofPézenas.
- Solenassociates theCarignanand theGrenachein an absolutely seductive vintage. Fiery and luscious, its minerality and depth are wonderfully revealed after several years of aging.
- AurelThis great wine absolutely needs to be cellared. The predominantly Mourvèdre grape expresses itself with elegance, density, and absolutely perfect balance.
The vintages age brilliantly and delight us when we taste them.
