Sarda Mallet

History of Domaine Sarda-Malet

The history of Domaine Sarda-Malet begins at the end of the 19th century, when the family settled in Roussillon. Jérôme Sarda, grandfather of Jérôme Malet, inherited old Grenache vines from his farmer father and gradually developed his vineyard, guided by two simple and poetic criteria for the purchase of new land: the AOC Rivesaltes classification and… the view of the Pic du Canigou. A lover of plants and a gardener at heart rather than a wine producer, he sold his production to the cooperative. Chemistry was always prohibited on the estate from the very beginning.

It was Max Malet, son of Jérôme Sarda and former broker at Rungis, who brought about the qualitative revolution when he took over the estate in 1985. At the same time as Eloi Dürrbach (Trévallon), Bruno Duchet (La Rectorie) and a few other pioneers, he introduced new noble grape varieties (Mourvèdre, Syrah, Malvoisie, Roussanne, Marsanne) alongside the historic Grenache varieties, invested in oak barrels in 1984, produced his first white wine bottling in 1985, and released in 1993 the first "Terroir Mailloles" cuvées, which would revolutionise the image of Roussillon. Max and his wife Suzanne built a national and international reputation: the estate has featured "at the top of the rankings of specialist publications for many years." Their son Jérôme, the fourth generation, took over the management of the estate until 2017 and began the conversion to organic farming in 2010 (Ecocert certified in 2013). The estate then extended over 25 to 51 hectares depending on the source. Production has since ceased, the vines having been sold.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Sarda-Malet

The vineyard of Domaine Sarda-Malet was planted south of Perpignan, approximately 10 kilometres from the city, on several distinct soil types. The soils ranged from clay-limestone to clay-siliceous, and above all rounded pebbles on Quaternary red Günz terraces, the same type of alluvial soil found in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. These Günz terraces, of glacial origin, are considered one of the finest terroirs in Roussillon for the concentration and depth of red wines. The Pic du Canigou, visible from the vineyard, dominated this iconic Roussillon landscape.

The grape variety composition combined historic varieties (old Grenache noir and Carignan planted in the 1940s) with varieties introduced by Max: Mourvèdre, Syrah, Malvoisie, Roussanne, Marsanne, Maccabeu. This ampelographic diversity made it possible to produce a complete range of the three colours as well as Vins Doux Naturels de Rivesaltes. The 70 to 80-year-old Grenache and Carignan vines were particularly precious for the Rivesaltes Ambré and Tuilé.

Winemaking at Domaine Sarda-Malet

Winemaking at Domaine Sarda-Malet was careful and minimally interventionist. The reds were destemmed and macerated in vats for 30 to 40 days, using indigenous yeasts. The free-run juice was separated from the press juice, reintegrated or not after the winter depending on the vintage. The wines were transferred into oak barrels on their fine lees, without any racking, for either the reds or the whites. Bottled without fining or filtration. For the Vins Doux Naturels, mutage was carried out with alcohol according to the Roussillon tradition. All of these choices produced wines of great integrity, remarkable ageing potential and a firmly asserted Roussillon typicity.

The cuvées of Domaine Sarda-Malet

Côtes du Roussillon Terroir Mailloles Rouge: The estate's flagship and emblematic cuvée, produced from rounded pebbles on the red Günz terraces of Mailloles. A blend dominated by Mourvèdre and Syrah, with a portion of Grenache. 30–40 day maceration, aged in barrels without racking. "A superb blend of Mourvèdre and Syrah for a traditional Fine Wine of exceptional ageing potential, rich and powerful, marvellously representative of this Roussillon we love so dearly." Deep garnet colour, powerful nose of black fruits, spices and garrigue, full and structured palate, noble tannins, long finish. The first vintage of 1993 became a legend of Roussillon. Ageing potential of 15 to 20 years in the greatest years.

Côtes du Roussillon Terroir Mailloles Blanc: The estate's first bottling (1985), a white cuvée produced from Roussanne, Marsanne and Malvoisie on the Mailloles terraces. A white wine of great aromatic richness and fine longevity for a southern white: aromas of white flowers, exotic fruits, honey and spiced notes. An exceptional gastronomic white for Roussillon, demonstrating the potential of Rhône grape varieties transplanted onto these terroirs.

Côtes du Roussillon Terroir Mailloles Rosé: Rosé produced from the Mailloles grape varieties, in a dry and gastronomic style, expressing the depth of this exceptional terroir even in its rosé version. A rosé wine of fine structure and aromatic complexity above the average of southern rosés.

Côtes du Roussillon Réserve Rouge: The red cuvée of the excellence range, a carefully crafted blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Carignan, ranked below the Terroir Mailloles in the hierarchy but displaying admirable qualitative consistency. Aged in barrels. A generous and fruity red wine, expressing the sunny character of Roussillon while maintaining an enviable freshness and structure.

Côtes du Roussillon La Serre (Table cuvée): A cuvée from the classic range, a blended red in an accessible and fruity style, reflecting the everyday Roussillon character. The estate's easy-drinking cuvée, to be enjoyed young and chilled with Mediterranean dishes.

Rivesaltes Ambré: Vin Doux Naturel produced from Grenache blanc and Maccabeu with oxidative ageing, in the centuries-old tradition of Rivesaltes. Amber colour, aromas of dried fruits, walnuts, rancio and oriental spices, complex and persistent palate. A classic Rivesaltes, representative of what the estate has always excelled at on its Günz terroirs.

Rivesaltes Tuilé: Vin Doux Naturel produced from old Grenache noir with oxidative ageing. Tawny colour, aromas of candied fruits, rancio, coffee and chocolate, round and luscious palate. The Roussillon tradition of Vins Doux Naturels in all its beauty, from 70 to 80-year-old vines planted by the grandfather.

Muscat de Rivesaltes: Vin Doux Naturel produced from Muscat à Petits Grains or Muscat d'Alexandrie, muted with alcohol on the primary aromas of the grape variety. Golden yellow colour, exuberant nose of flowers (rose, jasmine, acacia) and fresh fruits (apricot, peach), fresh and suave palate balanced by the alcohol. Muscat de Rivesaltes in its most authentic and most sun-drenched expression.