Domaine l’Aiguelière

Co-founder, Aimé Commeyras

The Wines of Domaine l’Aiguelière

We are featuring four red wines from the 2004 vintage, Tradition, Tradition Boisé, Côte Dorée and Côte Rousse. All but the first are currently available at the SAQ outlets in Quebec at noticeably higher prices (we have offered these wines to the LCBO Vintages, but like so many of our other wonderful wines, they wouldn’t taste them!). We are also offering two samplers – the first contains three bottles each of the Tradition and Tradition Boisé and the second three bottles each of the Côte Dorée and Côte Rousse. All come in six-bottle cases; the Côtes are in wooden cases. We will be taking your orders for these extraordinary wines to the LCBO on Friday, June 18.

2004 Tradition – 13.0% Alc./Vol $21/$126 case of six

This pure, rich, complex wine is comprised of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache from vines averaging over forty-five years of age. The yield was a very low 23 to 24 hectolitres per hectare. The Tradition sees no oak. It is a brick red colour and offers scents of red fruits (raspberries, cherries and strawberries), blackberries, new leather, pepper, garrigue and just a hint of liquorice. In the mouth it is very well balanced, round and medium bodied with tons of pleasing flavours. Drinking beautifully now, this lovely wine will go wonderfully with lamb (chops or roast), roasted chicken and medium cheeses. Order your case of pure drinking pleasure now.

2004 Tradition Boisé – 13.0% Alc./Vol $21/$126 case of six

The only real difference between this big, full delicious wine and the Tradition above is that it has rested for almost a year in one year old Nevers and Allier oak (boisé means woody) … and it does make a difference. The oak provides more pronounced tannins and a definite note of vanilla on the nose and in the mouth. It seems bigger, rounder, fuller and longer. It will go beautifully with roast beef, grilled steaks and gourmet hamburgers. I think it is an amazing wine for the price (it is currently $24.25 in Quebec). Order your classic Coteaux du Languedoc now.

2004 Tradition Sampler – 13.0% Alc./Vol $21/$126 case of six

To oak, or not to oak; that is the question. Not only is this sampler, which contains three bottles each of the 2004 Tradition and Tradition Boisé a great way to try these two marvellous wines, it is also a convenient way to taste the effect that fine oak has on a wine. Some enjoy the pure expression of the grape that non-oaked wine provides while others prefer the added complexity that a judicious dollop of oak bestows. Either way, you can’t lose. Order your little lab experiment here.

2004 Côte Dorée – 13.0% Alc./Vol $42/$252 wood case of six

This prestigious cuvee is 100% Syrah that comes from sixty year old vines planted in slate-like soil. The yield is less than thirty hectolitres per hectare and the vinification lasted for 27 days. The 2004 Côte Dorée rested in new Allier oak for almost a year. A deep purple/violet colour, it presents a fine and racy aroma of candied plums, black cherries, black currants, star anise, vanilla, pepper and coffee. Ample in the mouth, it exudes silky tannins, is beautifully balanced and the concentrated finish is full of black berries, liquorice and exotic spices. Wow! It would go marvellously with game infused with truffles (or just about anything). Decant this monster at least an hour before serving. It will cellar for years. It received a five star rating from the guide Bettane Desseauve. Order your intense and superbly elegant, unforgettable marvel here. (currently $49.25 at the SAQ)

2004 Côte Rousse – 13.0% Alc./Vol $42/$252 wood case of six

The 2004 Côte Rousse is also 100% old vines (over 60 years) Syrah that comes from a plot featuring chalky, clayey soil. Yields are under 30 hl/ha and vinification extends over twenty-eight days. It rested for eleven months in all new Nevers oak. A dark, brooding inky purple, this wine is simply massive (a real fruit bomb as Robert Parker would say). Aromas of raspberries, blackberries, black cherries, pepper, nutmeg, garrigue, chocolate, anise, tobacco, coffee and much more leap from the glass. In the mouth it is fine and racy, concentrated and complex and oh, so satisfying. It is full, well-balanced and opulent with splendid tannins and a very long, lingering finish of spices, berries and anise. It needs to stand in a decanter for at least an hour or two before serving – ideally with some really exotic game (woodcock, wild boar or venison “cuissot de cerf sauce grand veneur”). This marvel will last for years in your cellar. As you might have detected, I loved this wine; my tasting notes conclude with a heavily underscored wonderful. Order your breath-taking beauty now ($49.25 at the SAQ).

2004 Côte Sampler – 13.0% Alc./Vol $42/$252 wood case of six

Three bottles of the 2004 Côte Dorée and three bottles of the 2004 Côte Rousse equals six bottles of sheer heaven! Experience the difference that the type soil and oak can make on old vines Syrah grown only a kilometre or so apart. No cellar (or other wine storage facility) should be without this wooden six-pack of hedonistic pleasure. And what a marvellous gift it would make! Order your six bottles of Coteaux du Languedoc brilliance here.