Domaine de la Salette 1998 and 1999 Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne We first tasted Domaine de la Salette almost ten years ago : One of our clients was looking for a Côtes de Gascogne wine. We tasted many samples and selected Domaine de la Salette which was an immediate success. Domaine de La Salette wins medals every year at the Côtes de Gascogne Concours in December in Eauze. Michel Duffour the owner and winemaker of Domaine de la Salette is also Vice President of the Confédération Nationale des Caves Particulières. Michel and Evelyne Duffour live in a converted farmhouse on the Saint-Lannes estate at Lagraulet not far from Eauze and Condom, the home of Armagnac. VINEYARD Soil : Clay and Limestone Age of wines : 15 years Grape varieties : 80% Colombard 10% Ugni Blanc 10% Gros Manseng Average yield : 50 Hl/HA Production : 100 000 bottles SITUATION The wine enthusiast who passes through the Gers country will always find a welcome chez Michel Duffour, owner and winemaker of Domaine de la Salette. Michel and Evelyne Duffour live in a converted farmhouse on the Saint-Lannes estate at Lagraulet which is situated 130 Km South of bordeaux not far from Eauze and Condom, the home of Armagnac. Domaine de la Salette is located on a sheltered south facing plateau at Lagraulet du Gers in the heart of d'Artagnan country. WINEMAKING The continental climate which Domaine de la Salette enjoys ensures optimum ripening of the grapes. After hervesting the grapes are destemmed and lightly crushed. The grape skins are allowed to remain in contact with the grape juice or must for between 12 and 18 hours at an ambiant temperature of 15°C in an inert atmosphere of nitrogen or carbon dioxyde. The enzymes which exist naturally in the grapes attack the precursors of aromas in the skins and bring out the aromas. This process is called " maceration pelliculaire" or prefermentation skin contact. After this the must is left on very fine lees for about 10 days at 5°C. This is called "cold stabulation". The lees clean the juice, act as an antioxydant and add body and fatness. The grape juice is then run off into temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks where the alcoholic fermentation takes place at low temperatures (18/19°C). In this way the highly volatile primary aromas do not evaporate but stay in the wine. Later these primary aromas are replaced by more complex secondary aromas which stand the test of time and the notion of "terroir" is ever present. The grape varieties are vinified separately. Blending is done on tasting to obtain a wine CHARACTERISTICS Very fruity, aromatic wine. Good weight and flavour. Very long clean finish. TASTING NOTES 1999 Domaine de la Salette tasted on the 01/09/2000. A refreshing, lemony and passion fruit nose with undertones of white nectarines and lichis. Very rich, ripe fruit on the palate. A wine full of sunshine. No rough edges. Smooth and mouthwatering. The lively character of the Gros Manseng grape counterbalances perfectly the fruity and intensely aromatic qualities of the Colombard varietal. Plenty of body and weight. The best Salette yet. Bravo Michel... ! 1998 Domaine de la Salette tasted on the 10/02/2000. Very pale yellow, with silver glints. Brilliant. The nose gives a lovely fresh, crisp sensation of grapey fruitiness. It makes you eager to taste the wine. But before you do, swirl it round in the glass again and take another sniff. The nose has already changed. It's now a more complex bouquet of citrus and exotic white fruit and white peach aromas. The ripe colombard and gros manseng varietals are responsible for this extra complexity. Lively on the palate, Domaine de la Salette fills the mouth with textured weight and flavour. The wine is well balanced and has a powerfully aromatic finish which goes on and on. Domaine de la Salette leaves a clean, refreshing taste and the desire for another mouthful. HOW AND WHEN TO DRINK IT Serve chilled as an aperitif or with oysters and other seafood, fish and white meat. Goes particularly well with vegan dishes, lightly vegetables and finely flavoured cheeses.        . More information about this wine...