La Croix d'Aline
AOP Saint-Chinian
This Domaine is our 'mascot'! The first winegrower partnership, dating back to the very year "Les Domaines Auriol" were created in the early 2000's. Michel Gleize, outgoing President of the Saint-Chinian winery, was beginning his first vinifications in the cellars of his native village. His wife, Aline, was the inspiration for the Domaine's name. And now their daughter has taken on the Domaine. The Gleize family has been part of the Auriol saga since its caption, and we share the winegrowing adventure of this family. Their fiefdom is Pierrerue, a tiny village nestling in the cirque of Saint-Chinian, clinging to the towering Cévennes.
Grenache Syrah
17°C
Between sea and mountain, clinging to the last foothills of the Cevennes, at the bottom of Col de Fontjun, Domaine La Croix d’Aline, an exclusive cuvee of Domaines Auriol, is nestled in the Cirque de Saint-Chinian. This is where olive trees, mimosas, wild strawberry trees and vines gently thrive in a microclimate created by a limestone rock barrier which stops the cold northern winds.
From this 47-ha vineyard, 7 ha are selected for Domaine La Croix d’Aline. The vines are Cordon de Royat pruned. The yield is limited to 33 hl/ha.
The Syrah is hand-picked, destemmed and vinified with a long 21-day maceration with regular cap-punching. The harvest is also manual for the Grenache, with a light destemming when it arrives at the winery. The fermentation is shorter: 18 days. The wine is matured in tanks. The blends are carried out in spring by tasting the different vats of varieties.
Very suitable to age 2 to 5 years, this wine will be perfect throughout a meal, with grilled or stewed meat, poultry and game, and of course cheese.
This exclusive Grenache Syrah blend is characterized by a beautiful silky delicacy, typical of schist soils and also by its deep, brilliant garnet red colour. This wine shows a complexity typical of its magnificent terroir: nose of rock rose and spices, fat and fleshy palate.
