Domaine Petit Oratoire
Southern Rhône, Gard
2021 Vin de France 'Jajatoès'
The usual play on words here for a French wine label. ‘Jajatoès’ means bad wine/basic wine in local pidgin. Lori’s Mum has a cockatoo so that adorns the label. A blend of Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Viognier from different terroirs of the domaine co-fermented in cement vats at around 18 degrees. 12.5% and 10ppm sulphur at bottling. Lifted ripe yellow fruits and ripe pear with lovely spice. Nice tropical accent of green banana and pineapple as well as some mineral freshness. The full, textured pallet offers sweet ripe banana and pear with nectar like texture and richness. Pronounced minerality adds a salty juicy tang to the finish. Great juice!
2021 Vin de France 'Vivant à Souvi'
‘Living in Souvi’ is Grenache Blanc from the white clay over limestone soil of the 4 hectares Lori rents at Souvi. Macerated on skins for 4 days before pressing. Cool ferment in cement tanks. 11.3%. Zero sulphur. Deep bright yellow colour. Cool nose of spiced banana with yellow tropical fruits. Slippery full palate, juicy acidity, fine pithy tannins and a light orange flavoured tangy finish. Mouthwatering. Very good style for this variety. I think the joke in the name is that this block was difficult to understand and learn how best to make and it has taught Lori a few things about life.
2020 Vin de France 'Blanc de Maceration'
A tiny parcel of Grenache Gris that spends 6 months on skins then another 6 in steel tank. 14%. Soft pale pink bronze colour with some sediment. Aromas of subtle burnished fruits and dried fruits but still has finesse. Rich sweet fruited palate with intense tangy dried apricot and some lighter basil oil notes. Tannins are very resolved after 6 months maceration. Very interesting full-blown skins style; reminiscent of Georgia.
2021 Vin de France 'Saturday Night at Souvi'
So named because Lori spends his weekends farming the vines at Souvi and often ends up working well into Saturday night there in summer. No parties for him! Half/half 60 year old Grenache and 70 year old Cinsault on red clay over sandstone. Whole bunch carbonic ferment in cement tank. Pale red cherry colour. Floral lightly spicy expression with hibiscus and raspberry. Juicy, tangy fruit with pithy/fluffy tannins and pink and red fruits. Juicy watermelon finish. Delicious juice! A pretty playful light red with old vine depth.
2021 Vin de France 'Loratoire'
This comes from the plot that the domaine itself is named for. 3 parcels making up almost 2 hectares within this lieu-dit on a SE facing mid-slope of pink, yellow and white clay. Equal parts Grenache and Cinsault. Brilliant light purple red. Very pretty nose of plum, watermelon, hibiscus and black raspberry. The palate is very juicy with great balance of the two varieties expressions. Ripe purple and red fruits with pretty floral notes plus some fine compact tannin at its core. Really nice. Lighter weight but more serious in style. Stony mineral accent on the finish.
2021 Cotes du Rhone 'T'as poussé du bouchon'
Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault representing all the varied terroirs of the domaine. This is essentially the first wine of the domaine, hence the great price. Zero sulphur this year as Lori forgot to add the 10ppm. Deeper dried floral notes here with plum, watermelon and pomegranate. Full rich fruit with lots of pithy floral plum, persimmon, watermelon, berry fruits and cherries. Fine grained tannins offering the correct support. Fresh acidity draws out the expressive fruit flavours for a surprising long finish on a modest wine. Great style of Cotes du Rhone, light/fresh/juicy/pretty but still with structural integrity. Pretty sure you will see more and more producers emulating this style over coming years.
2020 Vin de France 'Les Lauzes Blanches'
Low yielding 100 year old Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre on limestone gravel over shallow red clay then limestone bedrock. Whole bunches are loaded into the cement vat then gently crushed before a 3 week maceration and basket pressing. We tasted the 2019 as the 2020 wasn’t ready yet. Expect ripe purple fruits and sweet spices, lots of grainy tannins and a fresh long finish. The premier cuvée for Lori.