Why it matters
The producer
Domaine de l'Argenteille is a family domaine in Languedoc. In 2011, Véronique and Roger decided to vinify their own harvest, moving the estate into independent winemaking. The current operation works from a new cellar and produces wines across several Languedoc appellations, including Terrasses du Larzac and Saint Saturnin.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
The vineyards lie in Saint-Félix-de-Lodez and Saint Saturnin de Lucian in the Hérault department. They sit at 150 meters elevation, face south, and stand on clay, limestone, and large stones. The labels carry Terrasses du Larzac, Saint Saturnin, Languedoc Saint Saturnin, or IGP Saint Guilhem le Désert, naming the appellation attached to each wine.
Wines to know
The range in view
Domaine de l'Argenteille Tramontane 2024 is a red Terrasses du Larzac wine made from Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan. Fermentation and skin maceration last 25 days, with regular pumping over to keep the skins in contact with the fermenting wine.
Tramontane has a garnet color with purple highlights. Its spicy nose includes phrygana, the dry scrub scent of Mediterranean vegetation, and cocoa. The palate is full bodied and round, with black fruit notes. Secrets du Rocher is another named cuvée, with solid rounded fruit, spicy red fruit, and a touch of tapenade on the palate.