lies halfway between Montpellier and Béziers, in the village of Montagnac, nestled in the heart of the Languedoc.
Some 36 of Domaine de la Clapière’s 60 hectares are planted with vines. Here we find the unpretentious essence of Mediterranean charm: gentle and serene, subtle and elegant. Alluvial terraces made up of filtering gravel and rocky outcrops are home to a mosaic of 10 different grape varietals.
This wine of the Grès de Montpellier appellation is a blend of Syrah and Grenache. Syrah brings depth of flavour, as grenache provides texture. The wine is aged for 12 months in a range of vessels, in order to broaden its aromatic profile: terracotta and stoneware amphoras, new barrels and stainless steel vats.
This full-bodied and aromatic red, made using carbonic maceration, is all about Syrah. Reaching its peak after five to seven years of bottle aging, Etincelle Rouge is an exceptional wine to keep on hand for special occasions. Its Syrah, perfectly adapted to the vineyard’s slopes, is pure and expressive, with balsamic notes and aromas of candied fruits. Vintage after vintage, Etincelle Rouge stands out for its spectacular mouthfeel.
Etincelle Blanc is almost crystal clear in hue, with hints of golden straw and subtle shades of green. The nose is fresh and complex, with notes of mint leaf, fresh almonds, vanilla and pineapple. Etincelle’s Blanc’s texture is dense and lively, offering an almost inordinately long finish.
This “gourmet” rosé is smooth and fresh, ending on notes of pink grapefruit. The nose is surprising for a rosé, offering slightly toasted aromas, with gooseberry, white pepper, alongside hints of verbena and passion flower. After aeration, Etincelle Rosé develops notes of redcurrant, blackcurrant bud, and hibiscus blossom. Initial boldness on the palate gives way to a pleasant smoothness.
Jalade is a single varietal rosé, made with 100% pure Cinsault, making it a refreshing match for summer food, with enough structure to hold its own admirably on the buffet table. Its fashionably pale colour reveals flashes of grapefruit pink. On the nose, redcurrant, cherry and raspberry aromas combine with hints of star anise and citrus. Jalade offers superb freshness on the palate.
Bold and lively, Figuerette is very much in the image of wines from the nearby Côtes des Blancs. This expressive white takes its characteristic freshness from its unusual blend of varietals (Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Chardonnay, Viognier and more). The lively nose develops aromas of lemon, lime, grapefruit, peach, pear and pineapple. The mouth is softer, with a delicate, mineral finish.
Jardin de Jules is a deliberately fruit-forward wine, offering an original, accessible take on the beguiling Montagnac terroir. An intense red in colour, with flashes of purple, Jardin de Jules is lively on the nose, with notes of cherry and raspberry, garrigue, benzoin, rhubarb jam and liquorice. The palate is exceptionally dynamic. To enjoy it in the best possible conditions, serve at 16 or 17°C.
This limited edition wine was released to mark the Palatsi family’s 10th vintage at Domaine de la Clapière. Only 1000 have been produced. With passion and creativity, the aim was to capture the essence of the Languedoc. The bottle is available in a unique case. 100% Syrah.
Although the varietals that make up its blend are more readily associated with the Bordeaux region, Gatefer exemplifies the Languedoc, owing its complexity to a precise approach to barrel-aging. 2/3 Merlot and 1/3 Cabernet-Sauvignon, from plots with a maximum yield of 30-35 hl/ha. The wine is then aged in new barrels for a period of 12 months. The result: a bold, rich, full-bodied red. First produced in 2006, Gatefer is named after one of the estate’s historic plots.
" We have been certified Terra Vitis since the 2010 vintage but the certification represents an approach that we have always had. Terra Vitis is a genuine philosophy, a sustainable way of thinking about the impact we have on the environment from planting the vines all the way to bottling the wine. We are perfectly aware that we need to think about the future, about the world we are leaving to our children. Terra Vitis is the perfect response. "
Sophie Palatsi, Owner" We have been certified Terra Vitis since the 2010 vintage but the certification represents an approach that we have always had. Terra Vitis is a genuine philosophy, a sustainable way of thinking about the impact we have on the environment from planting the vines all the way to bottling the wine. We are perfectly aware that we need to think about the future, about the world we are leaving to our children. Terra Vitis is the perfect response. "
Sophie Palatsi, Owner
