Domaine Henry > Languedoc/ Roussillon

Domaine Henry was started in 1992 after François Henry was forced to sell his family estate, St Martin de la Garrigue, due to strict French inheritance laws. Henry was a much-decorated winemaker at St Martin including a number of GaultMillau Winemaker-of-the-Year awards. He chose the appellation of St Georges d’Orques because of its incredible history of quality; his research indicated that wines from these vineyards were renowned from the Middle Ages onwards. In the 18th century these wines enjoyed a reputation on a par with those from Burgundy and were sold as far afield as Russia and Scandinavia which is why Thomas Jefferson purchased them as well. The advent of phylloxera caused their decline of quality and reputation like so much of the Languedoc.

It is the ambition of François Henry and his wife Laurence to measure up to this exceptional terroir: the red wines are full bodied, rich and powerful with gorgeous aromas of red fruits (blackcurrant, raspberry, red currant) and stone fruits (sweet and sour cherry, prune). The balance between complexity and elegance is the mark of this terroir's breeding. His 15 hectares are spread over three soil types:

- Villafranchian (Galets roulés – as in Chateauneuf du Pape)

- Limestone with silex (flint) as in Richebourg

- Jurassic limestone (Bajocian-Aalenian

These 3 terroirs with the presence of silica have fused the iron oxides to produce a characteristic russet hue. The mass of pebbles covering deep soil ensures perfect drainage. The vines are on average 25 years old (some of the Grenache vines are 80 years old).

Then in 2003 Henry made his first cuvée Mailhol. This historic wine is the result of a lot of research on this area’s glorious past. This is the same wine that Jefferson drank, made from the ancient varietals of Cru Saint Georges. To re-create this great wine of another era they replanted the ancient varieties:

- Morrastel noir à jus blanc

- Ribeyrenc noir

- Aspiran Gris

- Terret Noir & Gris

- Oeillade Noire & Grise

- Fouiral

- Ramounen

- Calitor

Domaine Henry Website

St Georges d'Orques Rose

This deep ruby rosé is a blend of Grenache 32%, Syrah 30%, Cinsault 13%, Mourvèdre 13% and Carignan 12%.

The rosé is 100% saignée. Each cuve of red wine, from the Paradines to the Chailles (his top wine), are bled off to make the domain’s rosé. Thus the basic juice is of the very top quality.

The rosé develops its dark, rich color because the tanks are bled (saignee) after approximately 12 hours of maceration. Most commonly saignée rosés are made with juice from 2 or 3 hours of maceration. François Henry tastes the juice from each tank every hour to find the perfect moment to bleed that particular tank. By this painstaking method the complexities of grape variety and soil come through the wine.

The tank for the rosé is kept at a very low temperature until all the tanks have been bled so that fermentation does not start. When all the juice is assembled, they let the temperature rise and the fermentation starts. The fermentation is kept relatively cool in order to develop more fruit complexity. Then the wine is left for 6 months on its fine lees before bottling.

A deep fuchsia colored wine with an explosive nose of red and black fruits, primarily black currant. A full bodied attack. Refreshing and well balanced palate with some herbal notes. Finishes on red fruits. Henry considers his rose to be one of his greatest challenges and it always give a very good indication of the quality of the vintage to come. He only makes 600 cases of this gem.

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