Description

Domaine des Lauriers

Lauriers’ vines

Lauriers has long been a favourite of ours, adjacent to the pretty village of Castlenau-de-Guers close to the oyster beds of the Bassin de Thau, and providing benchmark white wines for the shellfish that the area is famous for.  They have recently converted their 45 hectares to Agriculture Raisonnée, which minimises the use of pesticides and concentrates on preserving the environment.

It was great to be able to visit them again this Spring.  We loved the Classic cuvée of their Picpoul this year and were very impressed by a new wine, the cuvée Paredaux, which is the essence of a Languedoc white from the coastal zone.  Their Viognier is a brilliant expression of this exotic variety.  We were bowled over by their Côteaux du Languedoc white – Cuvée Baptiste, which punches way above its weight for quality. 

This family-run vineyard is situated in gently rolling countryside, near the delightful old Roman town of Pézenas, some 15 miles from Montpelier.  The 45 hectare estate was founded in 1969, starting with just a few parcels of land, and the family have gradually purchased more vineyard land, as time has passed.

The vinification of their whites is at low temperature to preserve fruit flavours, and year after year they receive recognition for their efforts in the prestigious Guide Hachette.  They frequently win Gold or Silver Medals at the Paris Wine Fair for their wines.

Marc Cabrol

We have put together a Mixed Dozen, consisting of three bottles of each of –

Domaine des Lauriers, Cuvée Paredaux 2023
IGP d’Oc
This is made from a 40% Vermentino normally found in Italy and in Provence (where in the latter it is known as Rolle) and from 60% Terret, a Mediterranean variety, which was traditionally used to make the aperitif Noilly Prat.
With a tinge of green in the colour, there is a pretty floral nose with a hint of pear drops. On the palate, fruit salad flavours abound with hints of melon and grapefruit. There is an attractive aromatic finish and gentle acidity.
An easy drinking delicious white, made for Summer!

Domaine des Lauriers, Viognier 2023
IGP d’Oc
This welcomes you with a wonderful honeysuckle nose and the palate follows this up with a juicy mouthful of peach and apricot fruit, leading into an aromatic twist,  gentle acidity and great length.
A perfect match for Thai or Chinese food.

Domaine des Lauriers, Cuvée Classic Picpoul 2023
AOP Picpoul de Pinet
This cuvée comes from Picpoul grapes on an argilo-calcaire terroir – clay and limestone, which is perfect for retaining water in dry hot years and rich in organic and mineral compounds, and the same soil type that is found in Chablis. The grapes are picked at night to maintain the zingy acidity that is the hallmark of topnotch Picpoul.
There is a green tinge to the colour and it has a mouthwatering savoury nose. On the palate the fruit is concentrated with underlying minerality, delicious crisp acidity and great length.
A regular award-winner in Guide Hachette, this is Picpoul at its best and a perfect match for fruits de mer!

Domaine des Lauriers Cuvée Baptiste 2022
AOP Côteaux du Languedoc
This is a blend of 60% Vermentino and 40% Picpoul.  The grapes are harvested at night to maintain freshness and acidity, and the two are vinified separately in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats before finally being blended together.  They are aged on the lees in tank for six months and 10% is oak-aged before being blended and bottled.
This is a fascinating wine that has benefited enormously from ageing on the lees. It is lemon/green in colour with aromas of honey and hawthorn flowers. On the palate it is buttery and concentrated with flavours of white plum and a toastiness from ageing on the lees.  It finishes with gentle acidity and good length.
Similar in style to a good quality Chablis. Another great wine for shellfish and a star!