Fitou Cuvée Jean de Pila Domaine de Roudene 2019

Fitou Cuvee Jean de Pila Domaine de Roudene, Grenache, Carignan, complex, full bodied red wine. Fitou is right down on the Catalonian border of France, and is one of the driest climates in France, with hot summers and mild winters. At Domaine de Roudene, they use traditional methods and produce quality wines in the classic style. There are notes of strawberry jam and wild herbs, with smooth tannins and a lovely savoury finish. Roudene produce satisfying southern French wines which certainly over deliver on price.

Domaine de Roudène, located in the pretty village of Paziols st the heart of the Fitou appellation, is divided into small parcels of vines dotted around the village.

Fitou is a land of magically shaped mountains, ravines, tablelands where shrubs scented with thyme and lavender grow, and the dizzy medieval citadels preside over an extraordinary countryside. Fitou, like other appellations, has a wonderful variety of landscapes, climbing from the sea and lagoons to the white schistous escarpments and the limestone plug of Mont Tauch. Domaine de Roudene is run by Jean-Pierre who is trying to move the estate on by inducing other growers to exchange bits of land for his own, which is an ongoing project. Since 1975, three generations have succeeded each other on this estate which initially covered an area of 7 hectares, and now covers close to 40. Many of the vines are very old, 60 - 100 years and are situated on classic terroir of schist shale and clay/limestone with low yields producing concentrated and savoury wine.