Domaine
de Joliette
Jean
Gardiès' (update to follow soon) neighbours Philippe (pic.) and Laurence Mercier have
been based in Espira for some time now – and there's a
“...great-grandfather and grandfather after the war... with even
older Catalan roots...” story lurking nicely in there somewhere - and
Joliette is rightly a well-known name on the northern Roussillon
quality circuit. Eleven vine varieties, including more whites than
you might imagine in this sometimes very hot and dry
microclimate and terrain, and their treasured environment have been
looked after using organics since 2000. All in all, around 30 ha/75
acres make up the Joliette estate lying on the spectacular near-lunar
(although a touch more wooded!) landscape nestling up near Espira and
Vingrau on the edge of the Corbières hills.
Route
de Vingrau, 66600 Espira de l'Agly. Phone: 04 68 64 50 60 / 06 80 33
31 44. mercier.joliette@wanadoo.fr &
www.joliette-mercier.com.
2010
Côtes du Roussillon white – nutty honeyed nose, toasty and
creamy palate with roasted hazelnut notes vs nice crisper 'mineral'
side too. Good to very good.
2009
Côtes du Roussillon red – toasted oak tones layered with very
ripe dark fruit, concentrated and grippy, closes up a little on its
taut finish. Needs time.
2006
Cuvée Montpins (mostly Mourvèdre) – mix of herby, black olive
and cooked cassis notes; concentrated and firm mouth-feel with
savoury vs dark fruit, powerful and still youthful finish. Wow, very
good.
2005
Côtes du Roussillon Villages – savoury leather aromas with
minty edges too, structured and concentrated, quite extracted tannins
with coconut nuances vs rich and dark texture. Good+
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