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 the 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 purchasing new land: classification as AOC Rivesaltes and… the view of the Pic du Canigou. A lover of plants and a gardener at heart more than a wine producer, he sold his production to the cooperative. Chemistry was always banned on the estate from the very beginning.

It was Max Malet, son of Jérôme Sarda and a 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 handful of other pioneers, he introduced new noble grape varieties (Mourvèdre, Syrah, Malvoisie, Roussanne, Marsanne) alongside the historic Grenache vines, invested in oak barrels in 1984, produced his first bottling of a white wine in 1985, and released in 1993 the first "Terroir Mailloles" cuvées, which would revolutionize the image of the 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 initiated the conversion to organic farming in 2010 (certified by Ecocert in 2013). The estate then extended over 25 to 51 hectares depending on the source. Production has since ceased, the vines having been transferred.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Sarda-Malet

The vineyard of Domaine Sarda-Malet was established south of Perpignan, approximately 10 kilometers 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 alluvial soil type found at Châteauneuf-du-Pape. These Günz terraces, of glacial origin, are considered one of the finest terroirs in the Roussillon for the concentration and depth of red wines. The Pic du Canigou, visible from the vineyard, dominated this emblematic Roussillon landscape.

The grape varieties included both historic cultivars (old Grenache noir and Carignan planted in the 1940s) and varieties introduced by Max: Mourvèdre, Syrah, Malvoisie, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Maccabeu. This ampelographic diversity made it possible to produce a complete range of all three colors 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 meticulous and minimally interventionist. The reds were destemmed and macerated in tanks for 30 to 40 days, using indigenous yeasts. The free-run juice was separated from the press juice, reintegrated or not after winter depending on the vintage. The wines were transferred to oak barrels with their fine lees, without any racking, neither for the reds nor for the whites. Bottling was carried out without fining or filtration. For the Vins Doux Naturels, fortification was carried out with alcohol according to the Roussillon tradition. All of these choices produced wines of great integrity, remarkable aging potential, and a pronounced Roussillon typicity.

The cuvées of Domaine Sarda-Malet

Côtes du Roussillon Terroir Mailloles Rouge: The estate's flagship and emblematic cuvée, sourced from the rounded pebbles on the red Günz terraces of Mailloles. A blend dominated by Mourvèdre and Syrah, with a portion of Grenache. Maceration of 30–40 days, aged in barrels without racking. "A superb blend of Mourvèdre and Syrah for a great traditional fine wine for aging, rich and powerful, wonderfully representative of this Roussillon we love so much." Deep garnet robe, powerful nose of black fruits, spices, and garrigue, fleshy and structured palate, noble tannins, long finish. The first vintage 1993 became a legend of the Roussillon. Aging 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 made 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 outstanding gastronomic white wine for the Roussillon, demonstrating the potential of Rhône grape varieties transplanted onto these terroirs.

Côtes du Roussillon Terroir Mailloles Rosé: A rosé made 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 well above the average of southern rosés.

Côtes du Roussillon Réserve Rouge: The red cuvée from the excellence range, a carefully crafted blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Carignan, ranking 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 the Roussillon while retaining 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 everyday Roussillon life. The estate's easy-drinking cuvée, to be enjoyed young and cool with Mediterranean dishes.

Rivesaltes Ambré: Vin Doux Naturel made from Grenache blanc and Maccabeu through oxidative aging, in the centuries-old tradition of Rivesaltes. Amber robe, aromas of dried fruits, walnuts, rancio, and oriental spices, with a complex and persistent palate. A classic Rivesaltes, truly representative of what the estate has always known how to achieve on its Günz terroirs.

Rivesaltes Tuilé: Vin Doux Naturel made from old Grenache noir through oxidative aging. Tiled-red robe, aromas of candied fruits, rancio, coffee, and chocolate, with a round and mellow 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 made from Muscat à Petits Grains or Muscat d'Alexandrie, fortified with alcohol to preserve the primary aromas of the grape variety. Golden yellow robe, 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 radiant expression.