Sunday, October 08, 2006

Domaine Navarre

Domaine Navarre is run and owned by Thierry Navarre on just 13 hectares of land, 100% on the Schiste soils of Roquebrun. He does everything by hand, does not use chemicals, and as far far as possible makes wine in the old fashioned way – what a refreshing change!
His “Vin d'oeillades 2004” is a simple table wine, made for everyday drinking (4 E/btl) and is highlighted by simple red fruit character, and a light refreshing wine – perhaps a red wine drinkers alternative to Rose' wines for a hot Summer BBQ. Laouzil 2004 has a delightful vegetative and fruity nose, showing typical Carignan on Schiste characteristics, with decent structure and acidity – well worth a go at around 6 Euro's if you get the chance. Cuvee' Olivier 2004 is Thierry's top wine, and it shows, this was wonderful, sweet forest fruits, spice and liquorice on the nose, a slightly porty flavour – it's full and powerful, jam packed with fruit, but with acidity and tannin that really hold it all together in a velvety texture – wonderfully made, wonderful to drink – if you see this anywhere – buy it and give it a go – for my money (at 10 Euro) you would be hard pushed to find a better wine – Mas au Schiste excepted!

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