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Domaine de la Rectorie

Domaine de la Rectorie is run by Marc Parcé, a distant relation of Jean-Michel Parcé who runs the other leading estate of Banyuls and Collioure, Domaine du Mas Blanc. Marc Parcé worked in Paris before returning to Roussillon in 1976, although he only took the reins at Domaine de la Rectorie when a job offer fell through.

The domaine is scattered around the town of Banyuls in a multitude of different plots totalling 24 hectares in all. Grenache is the dominant red variety, with some Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan as well. Plantings of white grapes include Grenache Gris and Blanc.

The dry wines include white, rosé and red Collioure. The white vin de pays Cuvée Argile is made from 100% Grenache Gris vinified in a mix of new wood, old wood and vat. There are two rosés, with a vin de pays Cuvée La Goudie is vinified as for l'Argile, but is a blend of Grenache Noir and Carignan as well as Grenache Gris. A rosé Collioure also features Mourvèdre, and is fermented after just one night of skin contact, giving a pale rosé indeed. The reds start with a vin de pays Vendanges au Puig del Mas, a cuvée of Grenache from young and old vines. Then come three red cuvées of Collioure:

Collioure 'Col Bast': 60% Grenache and 40% Carignan from very old vines, fermented and left for twelve months in large, old vats.
Collioure 'Le Seris': A very similar blend to 'Col Bast', but aged in a blend of large vats and barrique.
Collioure 'Coume Pascole': The leading red cuvée, including Syrah as well as Grenache and Carignan. This sees more time in wood - up to eighteen months, of which some is new.

Although dry wines now account for most of the wines turned out by Marc Parcé, he still produces a significant amount of Banyuls, the fortified wine that was once the mainstay of Domaine de la Rectorie. There are a number of different styles produced:

Banyuls Cuvée Parcé Freres: A wine made from fruit picked early in the harvest, strong on fruit and freshness.
Banyuls Cuvée Leon Parcé: Named after Marc Parcé's grandfather. These grapes are harvested a little later. The wine shows more complexity and depth as a result.
Banyuls Cuvée Doctor Camou: A cuvée aged in vats in a solera system. It develops the typical rancio character of Banyuls.
Banyuls Vin doux rêveur: A good quality non-vintage wine.
Banyuls Cuvée Elisabeth: Another Banyuls made from mature grapes.
Banyuls Vin Pierre: A non-muted wine, meaning that fermentation is not stopped by the addition of alcohol, but rather here the wine is made from late-harvested grapes. (6/12/04)

Contact details:
Address: 66650 Banyuls
Telephone: +33 (0) 4 68 88 13 45
Fax: +33 (0) 4 68 88 18 55

Domaine de la Rectorie - Tasting Notes

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2000

Domaine de la Rectorie Collioure 'Coume Pascole' 2000: A dark, inky hue. At first the nose is dominated by toffee oak, a great shame as there is clearly a good wine smothered beneath. With time - a day or so - the fruit comes to the fore, showing blackberry, black olive and violet notes. There is a lovely wine here. On the palate it shows good balance, once that oak has subsided a little, with plentiful fruit character, firm tannins and correct acidity. There is lovely quality here, and no doubt some cellar time will be rewarded. Needs four to six years. 16+/20 (November 2004) Label

1998

Domaine de la Rectorie Collioure 'Coume Pascole' 1998: A bright, vibrant red-black hue, and a deep, dark, brooding nose, rich in macerated black cherry Grenache fruit with a hard yet herby edge, later showing more smoky, oaky, black berry fruit. Balanced, structured yet very fluid on the palate, with firm, dry tannins behind a layer of herby blackberry fruit and charcoal smoke. Very savoury, with no significant oak apparent here. With time the palate evolves to demonstrate a really beautiful texture, balanced by fine acidity, with a creamy edge. This certainly has the structure and substance for the cellar, and will continue to improve over the next 3-5 years. 16.5+/20 (November 2004) Label

1994

Domaine de la Rectorie 1994 Banyuls, and I was not disappointed. It has a vibrant red hue in the glass, and an enticing nose. There is a little touch of spirit evident, but it is not sufficient to distract from the sweet figgy fruit, accompanied by little subtleties of sweet molasses and wood. The palate is surprisingly full and creamy and has certainly held up very nicely over the last thirteen years. More woody and figgy notes, but with a fresh red fruit edge to it, all presented in a rich and rounded yet freshly balanced frame. It has a very pleasing, integrated and elegant feel on the palate, bordering on silky, but showing some good extract through the midpalate which suggest that this wine still has some more to give. But for the moment I am happy to let it warm my bones on this cold, June evening! For label images and more see my Wine of the Week write-up. 17.5/20 (June 2007)