We are thrilled to introduce you to a well established producer that will be joining our portfolio. Crafting wine for over a century in Languedoc, Philippe Chesnelong and his ancestors have become synonymous with Languedoc wines. Produced across the 'doc, Philippe works to bring together the terroir and the Mediterranean climate together within his two red cuvées.
About Domaine des Creisses
Set within the Languedoc, South France, Domaine des Creisses sits halfway between the sea and the mountains, only 25 minutes from the shores of the Mediterranean and a few kilometers west of the Languedoc capital, Pézenas.
Established in the late 19th century, Domaine des Creisses has been making wine for more than 110 years in its Languedoc cellar. Transitioning through three generations last century, Philippe Chesnelong took over in 1998 and now runs the family vineyard. His focus is now on expressing the full potential of the terroir and revealing a great Mediterranean wine. Louis Mitjavile, cousin to Philippe, aids in the vinification process with his acute skill for winemaking and maturing.
Philippe produces two cuvees under the Vin de Pays tier; Les Creisses and Les Brunes. Les Creisses represents two terroirs; first an 11-hectare stony clay-limestone plateau with deep soil that gives dense, silky and fresh wines. Secondly, a development of 20 hectares on hillsides of Villafranchian gravel, interspersed with woods, which express smoothness and delicacy. Les Brunes, aptly named after the dark brown basaltic soils of volcanic origin, sits upon a south-east facing hillside planted with Mourvèdre and Cabernet Sauvignon revealing all its strength.
In the vineyard Philippe & the team at Domaine des Creisses ensure they prune their vines exclusively on "old wood", a Languedocian goblet for old Grenache or Royat pruning for other vines. This provides an optimal arrangement of the leaves and other foliage to have airy, disease-free, ripe and tasty grapes.
The vineyard is semi-grassed along with regular contributions of organic matter; these organic elements create balanced, thriving, and porous soils. Soil as healthy as Creisses, allows the vine roots to plunge into the earth, drawing deep and regular water. In a climate such as Languedoc, viticulture is looked after in the most sustainable way with treatment only occurring when extremely necessary, with this practice the domaine is now certified High Environmental Value (HVE).
The Wines
LES CREISSES - PAYS D'OC ROUGE 2020
Les Creisses 2018 is a concentrated red wine with intense aromas of ripe black fruits, spicy notes and touches of mint and cocoa. On the palate it is powerful and complex and reveals an exceptional density. A wine with round and fresh tannins and a long and sweet finish. 27% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 25% Syrah, 22% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 8% Carignan, 8% Cinsault.
LES BRUNES - PAYS D'OC ROUGE 2020
Les Brunes 2020 has a wonderful depth of dark, sweet fruit flavours, with black cherry and blackcurrant dominating on the nose. Cedar and cinnamon flavours evolve on the palate, with intense concentration of black fruits balancing well with the rounded, juicy tannins. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Mourvèdre, 20% Syrah.