Current Wine of the Month

Selections - December 2010

 

La Closerie des Lys (by Domaine Antugnac)

 

                Domaine Antugnac was purchased in 1997 by childhood friends Christian Collovray and Jean-Luc Terrier. The duo, who had grown up in the Maconnais of Burgundy and become business partners in Domaine Des Deux Roches there, were looking to expand into the Languedoc due to land being much more affordable there.

                The domaine is located in an isolated mountain valley in the foothills of the Pyrenees in the wine region of Limoux, anchored by the old village of Antugnac .  Antugnac had a storied history as its church had been built as a fortified building to protect villagers from marauding bands in the Middle Ages. The vineyards start from the edge of the town but climb the heights of the foothills, ranging from 920 to 1,730 feet above sea level. They started to plant higher-density parcels in the foothills in 2002, focusing on Chardonnay but cultivating thirteen varieties.

                In 2000, the two friends installed David Serodes as the manager of the domaine. Languedoc native Serodes understood that the location offered a great blend of the warmer Languedoc temperatures with mountain coolness. Due to this one-two punch, the wines could achieve an exuberant ripeness coupled with an uncomparable freshness.

                The broad-shouldered Serodes studied enology at Montpelier and has a light touch with his wines, performing short extractions where he looks for fruit rather than brute tannic power. Dedicated to his craft, he often begins harvesting in Domaine Antugnac at two in the morning and stops around 11am before the weather gets hot.

                 
La Closerie des Lys “Les Fruitieres” Blanc 2009:

 Regular Price: $14.99
Club Price: $12.99

                The “Les Fruitieres” white blend is composed of a blend of 35% Chardonnay, 35% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Vermentino. After varietals are vinified separately, the grapes are pressed and the juice is clarified at low temperatures. The wine is then fermented in stainless steel and aged on fine-lees until bottling in February-March.

               The blend is a veritable fruit basket with aromas of pear, pineapple, lemon zest and grapefruit. On the palate, it’s quite juicy with creamy edge that balances the tart citrus flavors. Try with stuffed trout, chicken Parmesan and vegetables over polenta.

 





La Closerie des Lys “Les Fruitieres” Rouge 2009:

Regular Price: $14.99
Club Price: $12.99
 

Domaine Antugnac’s red blend of 50% Merlot, 30% Syrah and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon is blended by gravity. A cold maceration combined with punchdowns of the grape must makes for vivid aromas of cherry, plum and spice along with moderate tannins. The blend undergoes malolactic fermentation which smoothes it out and makes it a perfect match for pot roast, New York strip and lemon-pepper roasted chicken.