WINE AGENCY
Domaine de Longue Toque
Nestled in the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail since 1918, the Domaine de Longue Toque is one of the prestigious estates of Maison Gabriel Meffre. The vineyards are located on a mosaic of terroirs that draw their original character from different geological layers, altitudes and exposures.
The Domaine de Longue Toque covers 27 hectares of AOP Gigondas (17ha), Vacqueyras (6ha) and Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu (2ha).
The Grenaches of a high average age and including a parcel of vines of almost a hundred years old represent a very precious heritage for the estate.
The parcels of AOP Vacqueyras (on clay- and limestone-rich sand and garrigue scrubland) and Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu (on quaternary alluvium terraces) complete the Estate’s range of wines.
Since 2001, the estate is certified by the ‘Terra Vitis’ label for reasoned viticulture.
Gigondas
TERROIR
The Grenache grapes come from the Montmirail area, in the Southwest sector of the appellation. This terroir, located at 150m in altitude, is mostly sandy marl from the Oligocene period. The Syrah, for the most part, comes from the Pourra sector in the heart of the Dentelles de Montmirail at 400m of altitude on marl from the Cretaceous period covered with limestone scree.
WINEMAKING
Manual harvesting. Crushed and partly destemmed. A 24-day maceration period with regular punch-downs and pump-overs and temperatures maintained around 28° to 30°C (82° to 86°F). Runoff and separation of the free-flow and press wines. Malolactic fermentation. Reintroduction of a portion of the press wine during the blending process. 18 months maturation: Grenache in vat and demi-muid (600l); Syrah in French oak barrels.
Bottled at the Domaine on June 14th, 2016. Production : 11,100 bottles and 840 magnums
TASTING NOTES
Deep red robe with purple hints. Intense with scents of fresh black fruits and a touch of vanilla and incense. Plump and structured on the palate with flavours of toasted spices, roasted herbs, licorice and black fruits (blackcurrant, blueberry). Fine, lingering tannins with an impressively long and fruity finish. (May 2016)
GRAPE VARIETIES
60% Grenache 40% Syrah
60% Grenache Sandy Marl
40% Syrah Limestone
AWARDS
91 Wine Advocate - Robert Parker
90-92 Vinous - Josh Raynolds
16/20 Jancis Robinson
4* Drink Rhone - John Livingstone-Learmonth
OR Paris
Vacqueyras
TERROIR
The Grenache grapes come from gentle slopes, made of safres and Miocene marls, covered with colluvium, to the south and west of the appellation. The Syrah grapes are from the alluvial terrace of the "Garrigues", covered with pebbles from the Quaternary period, on the western side of the appellation. These natural elements bring balance and finesse of tannins as well as a complex aromatic range going from raspberry to violet through spicy touches of licorice and white pepper.
WINEMAKING
In 2015, the excellent ripeness of the grapes allowed for long macerations and, thanks to light rack-and-returns, remarkably fine tannins. Strict temperature control during fermentation brought out enticing aromas of ripe, red fruits. 8 months of ageing with Grenache in vats and Syrah in barrels.
TASTING NOTES
"...inky colored... Spice, peppery herbs, creamy licorice and ample dark fruits emerge from this medium to full-bodied, ripe, beautifully textured Vacqueyras that will drink nicely through 2025." Jeb Dunnuck for Robert Parker - Wine Advocate. 30th Dec 2016.
GRAPE VARIETIES
73% Grenache 27% Syrah
73% Grenache 24 years
27% Syrah 13 years
AWARDS
90-92 Wine Advocate - Robert Parker
16/20 Jancis Robinson
SILVER CGA Paris 2017
Côtes du Rhône Villages
"Plan de Dieu"
TERROIR
The vines lie on the large terrace of alluvial deposits (pebbles) from the Quaternary period with a silty matrix formed by the Aygue river to the North and by the Ouvèze river to the South.
WINEMAKING
Crushing and de-stemming of the harvest. Cold pre-fermentary maceration for 5 days. Fermentation and maceration of the two grape varieties during 24 days. Ageing in vats for 7 months.
TASTING NOTES
The style is intense and unctuous with a nose of black cherry and spice. Well balanced and generous with fresh fruits flavours (blueberry, blacberry) and soft tannins.
GRAPE VARIETIES
50% Grenache 50% Syrah
50% Grenache
50% Syrah
AWARDS
86-89 Wine Advocate - Robert Parker
89/100 Tasted 100% Blind - A Larsson
