Domaine de l'Oratoire Saint-Martin Cairanne "Les Douyes" red 2017 MAGNUM

PRESENTATION OF DOMAINE DE L'ORATOIRE SAINT-MARTIN
 
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Domaine de l'Oratoire Saint-Martin "Les Douyes" red 2017 MAGNUM

RVF Guide to the Best Wines of France 2021 (Nov. 2020): 92/100. More southern in spirit, with this portion of Mourvèdre that gives it notes of scrubland and black olive.

La Revue du Vin de France (n°636, Nov. 2019): n°2 of all the Cairanne reds 2017 tasted, 17/20. Despite 40% Mourvèdre, the 60% Grenache provides a spherical, ample mouthfeel, with soft tannins and a sensation of gentle ripeness. A beautiful, refined, and complex wine. A reference Cairanne.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Joe Czerwinski, Oct. 31, 2019): 95-97/100. Still in foudre at the time of my visit, the 2017 Cairanne les Douyes was expected to be in cask for at least 18 months. A 60-40 blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre from the estate's oldest vines, and produced from minuscule yields of just 15 hectoliters per hectare, it's full-bodied and creamy-textured, with intense flavors of licorice, black cherries, and plum. It's out-of-this-world good and easily one of the best Cairannes I've ever tasted, with at least 15 years of ageability. Drink date 2020-2032.


Technical sheet written by the domaine

Grapes: Grenache, Mourvèdre.

Terroir: Clay-limestone

Age of the vines: centenarian. From very old vines planted in 1905 on the best slopes, the very low yields (15Hls/ha) produce a full yet very silky wine, with melted tannins and aromas of blackberries and scents of garrigue.

Winemaking: Manual harvesting, sorting of grapes, destemming, vinification by punching down for 15 days. 

Aging: 18 months in foudres, bottled without fining or filtration. 

Tasting temperature: 15 to 16 °C

Optimal tasting period: 6 to 8 years.

Tasting note: 

- Eye: dark red, purple
- Nose: red fruits, leather, musk
- Flavor: spicy, peppery, licorice