Calmel & Joseph Les Elmes

Founded in 1995, Calmel & Joseph is a maison de negoce specializing in Languedoc-Roussillon wines from private wineries from across the region. Over the years, they have built close personal relationships with a large number of growers from all appellations. Convinced of the extraordinary potential of this region, oenologist, Laurent Calmel, and Jerome Joseph work together on the vinification, blending and ageing of wines with the common purpose of demonstrating the little known yet unique quality of these Mediterranean terroirs. As well as their desire to produce high quality wines consistent with their terroirs, they are committed to making wines which reflect their convictions and experience.

Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah

This new Cuvee Rare, with its stunning ruby red colour, comes from the exceptionally austere coastal terroir of Collioure. This is a challenging terroir that does not give up its treasures easily, but which produces some of the most spectacular wines in the Roussillon when all the stars are aligned.

The Terroir is brown shale soils.

Grenache noir 80%; Mourvèdre 10%; Syrah 10%.

The grapes are handpicked and then sorted and destemmed. Alcoholic fermentation at 30°C. Light pumping over for 10 minutes once a day for 10 days. One month in vat. Malolactic fermentation under the cap.

Aged in oak for 12 months.

A beautiful garnet red with ruby gleams for this superb Cuvée Rare from the exceptional terroir of Collioure, whose terraces plunge into the Mediterranean. The opulent nose is brimming with fruit such as cherry, fresh fig, strawberry, followed by mocha, chocolate and fragrant humus. The tannins are fine and melting. The first palate shows magnificent concentration, in notes of yellow plum, fig and tobacco, evolving to a finish that re-emphasizes the cherry characters and rolls together liquorice, peppermint and aniseed. This harsh, austere terroir does not yield up its treasures easily, but when all the stars are aligned offers the most spectacular wines in the Roussillon.