Domaine Gauby | Organic estate in the township (‘commune’) of Calce in the Agly valley (‘Val d’Agly’) region of Roussillon, France. Wines are made under the Côtes Catalanes and Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC denominations.

Owner | SCEA Domaine Gauby.

Vineyards | 90ha of non-contiguous land of which half is vineyard and the rest is wild habitat.

Organic certification | 2012 First vintage with full organic certification (BioVeritas).

Vintages | 2007 & 2008 ‘Both 2007 and 2008 were vintages of severe drought in Calce, but in both instances, Gérard’s yields improved over 2006: 22 hl/ha in 2007 and 25hl/ha in 2008. This puzzled me, and I was expecting some encomium of biodynamics by way of explanation. And in a way, it was: in both vintages, Gérard used 1000 hectolitres of “tisane” sprays – these are plant extracts, dynamised, and applied in homeopathic quantities to treat the vines. Gérard went on to suggest that this regime compensated for the lack of rain. I retorted that it seemed to me more like irrigation, to which the only answer was a silent smile. Anyway, it seemed to have worked,’ (Roy Richards, May 2009).

White wines

Les Calcinaires Blanc, Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC | 2008 ‘Their entry level wine, raised in tank, and blended from more or less equal proportions of Muscat, Vermentino, Chardonnay and Maccabeu. The Muscat dominates the bouquet, but the palate, whilst enjoying the fat of the Chardonnay and Maccabeu, has a thirst quenching liveliness to it,’ (Roy Richards, May 2009).

Vieilles Vignes Blanc, Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes | 2007 ‘75% Maccabeu 25% Grenache Gris and Blanc plus some Carignan Blanc. Nice, creamy nutty nose, this has a pleasing sucrosity undercut by minerality. Quite lovely, not the kind of wine one would tire of drinking,’ (Roy Richards, May 2009).

Coume Gineste, Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes | 2007 A blend of Grenache Gris and Blanc, site specific,’ (Roy Richards, May 2009).

Red wines

Les Calcinaires Rouge, Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC | 2008 Largely a blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre with about 20% of Carignan and Grenache thrown in,’ (Roy Richards, May 2009).

Vieilles Vignes Rouge, Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC | 2007 Carignan, Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre in unspecified parts – Gérard doesn’t like being asked about his blends! First impression is one of ripe fruit, quite high-toned, animal even. The texture is dense with stony, but smooth tannins,’ (Roy Richards, May 2009).

Côtes du Roussillon Rouge, Muntada | 2007 ‘Grenache, Carignan, Syrah from marne calcaire sites. White pepper and black fruit, principally cassis, seductive, sweet entry, a more courteous palate than the vieilles vignes. Silky and intense and, dare I say it, Burgundian,’ (Roy Richards, May 2009).

La Roque

Contact

Domaine Gauby

La Muntada

F-66600 Calce (Pyrénées-Orientales), France

Tel+33 04.68.64.35.19 | www.domainegauby.fr

Bibiography

Roy Richards, ‘A southern excursion, 2008 Rhone and Beyond’, (Richards Walford, May 2009).