Yes, I know it’s a misleading title… and it is very unfair to compare Domaine de la Grange des Peres 2003 to a Cheval Blanc from a weak vintage (1994), and I am sorry for misleading you. But I guarantee you will not be disappointed with Grange des Peres!
Domaine de la Grange des Peres is a unique producer, located in the l’Hérault of the Languedoc region where the limestone is hard and soil is poor. Laurent Vaillé had to use dynamites and bulldozer to clear the limestone after he purchased the vineyard in 1989. Prior to buying his own vineyard, he worked for Jean-François Coche-Dury, Chave in Hermitage as well as Domaine de la Trevallon.
The Domaine de la Grange des Peres is a blend of 40% Syrah, 40% Mourvèdre, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Counoise. A 9 hectare south-facing red vineyard with very low yield of between 20-25 hl/ha as well as 1 hectare of 80% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, and 10% Chardonnay.
Tasting Notes
Domaine de la Grange des Peres Rouge 1995
A wine that goes far beyond its appellation. It is complex and sweet-scented, very gentle and middle-class. Fully mature and lively with meaty nose, fragrant blueberries and sweet violets. Attractive and flows down t̶o̶o̶ easily. Drink now till 2030. (90+/100)
Domaine de la Grange des Peres Rouge 1997
Domaine de la Grange des Peres generally has a Burgundian flair in their wines, but the 1997 is particularly Burgundian on the nose, a lifted scent of red plums, strawberry and raspberry. Not to mention the structure is particularly soft, atypical of Grange des Peres. Great elegance and sophistication. Less structured than the 1995 which in turn made the 1997 more perfumed and feminine. Drink now till 2024. (91/100)
Domaine de la Grange des Peres Rouge 2001
The 2001 Grange Des Peres is surprisingly jammy and ripe consider the vintage, riper than the 2003 Grange des Peres I had recently. Young and dense with ripe jammy red plum, tobacco, and herbs. Rich Syrah flavours with Cabernet Sauvignon backbone. Full bodied and intense with an inky edge, quite heavy for this producer – which adds an Italian flair to it. I would call it a super Tuscan if tasted blind. Beautiful feminine wood influence. Rigid end with a lead-y character that stops it from being a top end wine. (88/100)
Domaine de la Grange des Peres Rouge 2003
It has an upper-market aroma of clean and stylish fruits, and Burgundian winemaking influence. The Syrah and Mourvèdre fragrance with Cabernet Sauvignon tobacco radiates from the background, almost like a Bordeaux left bank from 2005 but with a lighter charm. Firm structure with a tannic backbone, Domaine de la Grange could be treated like a Bordeaux.
Still young, red fruit driven but after decanting, stronger dark chocolate, tobacco note. Medium bodied with a savoury finish. This showed really well after 2 hours in the decanter. (90/100)
Domaine de la Grange des Peres Rouge 2009
Sophisticated, suave, one of its kind. Very well-balanced, intense and packed with fruits. Dark fruits, organic herbs, cocoa, deep floral perfumes. Reminiscent of Le Bourg even though they have completely different grape varieties. Some herbaceous notes but very pure, sexy and complex. Very well made, for sure a very talented winemaker. Young but everything seems integrated well already. Adorable wine. (94/100)
Domaine de la Grange des Peres Rouge 2015
This was a tricky one to guess blind especially when we were expecting all wines to be Burgundy! An exotic and voluptuous nose of rich and powerful dark fruits. High phenolic ripeness but some green vegetal character that resembles weed, which really baffled me. Full bodied, whole cluster lift with high concentration and oak gloss. Cloves, blackberry with a distinctive peppery finish. Guessed Cote Rotie after we established it was not a Burgundy. (92+/100)
Domaine de la Granges des Peres Blanc 1998
The white wine of Domaine de la Grange des Peres is one of the rarest wines from South of France, it comes from 1 hectare of Roussanne, Marsanne and Chardonnay, only about 250 cases made. The young vintages are great and the mature ones are complex and flavoursome. This 1998 Grange des Peres Blanc is seriously complex. Honied, creamy, rich yet delicate. Full bodied with. Incredibly well-balanced and sexy. Shows integrated spices and subtle tropical fruits. A must try if you see it. Unfortunately the older vintages of the whites are as rare as hen’s teeth! (93/100)
