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Domaine Gauby

Domaine Gauby is Gérard Gauby. The domaine has been passed through the generations of the Gauby family, but the grapes were always disposed of at the local co-operative. It's not an unusual story; along comes the next generation, and things have to change. But that shouldn't detract from the courage that such a decision requires. Gérard's first vintage was the 1985, and in the years since Domaine Gauby has gone from strength to strength, and would feature in most lists of the top estates of Languedoc-Roussillon, no doubt topping some.

The domaine has seen considerable expansion, from five to something more like 40 hectares. Much of this is Côtes du Roussillon, in the village of Calce, although Gauby has also purchased vineyards further inland, in the increasingly popular Fenouillèdes region. Wherever they are, they have the dramatic, garrigue-influenced appearance that characterises much of the landscape in Roussillon. The soils are chalky in the main - hence the name Calce, from calcaire, but there is also some schist. Grenache predominates, with some dating from 1947, with some twenty year old Syrah. Yields vary but are less than 35 hl/ha, typically 20 hl/ha for the Syrah. Vineyard management is biodynamic. Although initially the wines were tannic and extracted, Gauby has moved towards a more balanced elegant style in recent years, and the wines are much better for it. In addition the range has expanded considerably, and there are now a number of desirable cuvées both red and white.

The flagship wine is Muntada, a red Côtes du Roussillon Villages. Most of Gauby's red wines are bottled as Côtes du Roussillon, whereas all of Gauby's white wines are bottled as vin de pays - either Coteaux des Fenouilledes or Côtes Catalanes - as the maximum alcohol for white Côtes du Roussillon is 13°, and his whites regularly exceed this limit. The red appellation regulations do not involve such a limit. The full range of wines includes Les Rocailles, in white a blend of Maccabeu, Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris and in red a Grenache dominated blend, with Mourvèdre and Carignan. Other white cuvées include several bottlings of Grenache and Viognier, as well as La Coume Ginestre, an old vine Grenache Blanc cuvée. The reds also include Les Calcinaires, which is Grenache with a little Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon, among numerous others. Recent additions include La Soula, two VDP Coteaux des Fenouilledes cuvées. Reports on the make-up of the white vary, but it certainly includes Marsanne, Grenache Blanc and, unusually, high altitude Chenin Blanc. The red is a blend of Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The range finishes with a Muscat de Rivesaltes. (17/1/05, updated 15/6/06)

Contact details:
Address: 66370 Calce
Telephone: +33 (0) 4 68 64 34 19
Fax: +33 (0) 4 68 64 41 77

Domaine Gauby - Tasting Notes

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2002

Domaine Gauby Blanc Vieilles Vignes (VdP des Côtes Catalanes) 2002: A gorgeous nose, admittedly showing rather a lot of oak at present, but behind that there is a real depth of minerally fruit, with an intense, chalky, rocky character. Lovely, rich style on the palate, although still very oak-dominated here; it is rather full and underpinned by a good acidic structure. Full of potential. 16.5+/20 (June 2006)

Domaine Gauby Côtes du Roussillon Vieilles Vignes 2002: A very dense, opaque, youthful wine. Vibrant nose, heady and perfumed, rich with thyme, crisp berry fruit, cherries, and a little whiff of alcohol. A fine character on the palate, showing thyme like that on the nose, with coffee too. Very correct structure underpinning it all, very dry and a little tight and withdrawn, a little lean in texture, but with plenty of cherry stone and mineral character. Nice length. Very good indeed. 17/20 (June 2006)

1999

Domaine Gauby Côtes du Roussillon 'Les Calcinaires' 1999: Beautiful dark colour, although not overly dense. And the nose is lovely, initially showing meaty, animalistic, furry-horsey and saddle aromas. On the palate though it shows lean fruit, with liquid stone texture and lovely balance. There is a nervous finesse here, and a textural quality that is a little beguiling. Actually a very lovely wine, ready now. Drink over the next five to eight years. 17/20 (November 2004) Label

1998

Domaine Gauby Côtes du Roussillon Villages 'Muntada' 1998: A deep, purple colour; this is a wine still in its youth. Massive. brooding nose, with bloody, meaty fruit with complex liquorice, star anise, smoke and stony garrigue character. Huge, impressive palate, but with freshness and balance. Ripe, masculine tannins, brawny-bloody fruit and supple texture. Gently coating tannins on the finish. Lovely, with potential. Needs three years and should drink for five to eight thereafter, at least. 18+/20 (November 2004) Label