"Les Brunes" IGP Pays de l’Hérault 2020

Domaine des Creisses, located in Valros, Languedoc, is a true gem producing limited quantities of exceptional red wines. Situated halfway between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains, just 25 minutes from the Mediterranean shores and a few kilometres west of Languedoc’s historic capital, Pézenas, the estate benefits from an ideal Mediterranean climate.

The family property, established in the 19th century, had made wine in its own cellar by many generations for over 110 years. In 1998, it was bought by Philippe Chesnelong, a lawyer by training. Since then, the estate has garnered admiration from sommeliers across France, where most of the wine is sold. Philippe is ably assisted in vinification and maturation by his cousin Louis Mitjavile (Domaine de l'Aurage), son of the legendary winemaker François Mitjavile of Tetre Rotebeouf fame.

Operating under a sustainable charter, the property recently achieved High Environmental Value (HVE) certification and employs organic principles. It spans two distinct vineyards. Les Creisses, the original 11-hectare vineyard, consists of a stony-clay limestone plateau with deep soils, now expanded by a further 20 hectares which includes slopes of Villafranchian gravel as part of a single plot interspersed with woods and garrigue. Les Brunes is aptly named after its dark brown basaltic soils formed on an ancient volcanic lava flow where the Cabernet Sauvignon element of the cuvée comes from.

The originality of Domaine des Creisses lies in its unique terroir: white and red quartz pebbles, fragments of schist, deep and outcropping limestone, and basalt lava rock, interpreted by a vinous poet and alchemist.

Domaine des Creisses Les Brunes IGP Pays de l’Hérault 2020
Grapes: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah

Winemaking:
Les Brunes, the flagship wine of Domaine des Creisses, is crafted from vines planted on dark brown basaltic soils, formed from ancient volcanic lava flows. The grapes—80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Mourvèdre, and 10% Syrah—are hand-harvested and carefully selected. After fermentation, the wine is aged for 17 months in new French oak barrels. This extended oak maturation adds layers of complexity and integrates seamlessly with the wine’s powerful fruit and spice notes.

Sight:
Deep and opaque, this wine presents a nearly black hue with garnet highlights, reflecting its concentration and age-worthy potential.

Nose:
The nose is rich and powerful, offering brooding aromas of dark forest fruits—blackberries and blackcurrants—alongside earthy notes of garrigue, cedar, and spice. The oak influence brings subtle touches of vanilla and toasted notes.

Palate:
On the palate, Les Brunes is full-bodied and densely structured, with concentrated dark fruit flavours of blackberries and plums. The tannins are firm but silky, providing a refined texture. Notes of spice, pepper, and a touch of leather emerge, adding complexity. The new French oak imparts elegant toasty elements, which are perfectly integrated, leading to a long, balanced finish with lingering notes of dark chocolate and subtle minerality.

Food Match:
This bold and complex wine pairs beautifully with roasted meats, game, or rich stews. It’s also a great match for aged cheeses and hearty dishes with earthy flavours, enhancing the wine’s depth and richness.