Domaine d'Aupilhac

History of Domaine d'Aupilhac

The story of Domaine d'Aupilhac begins with a vocation. Born in Saint-Cloud, Sylvain Fadat was brought back to Montpeyroux a few months later by his family, to the land of his Languedoc ancestors stretching back five generations. While his father divided his time between research on woodcock and tending the family's small vineyard plots, Sylvain chose viticulture without hesitation. In 1989, he took over the family's 5 hectares and made the bold decision to bottle his own production, at a time when Languedoc was still largely dominated by cooperative winemaking. The early days were epic: for the first four years, he vinified his wines in truck tanks, in a cellar that did not yet even have a roof.

Through sheer determination, Sylvain built his cellar in 1993, followed by an underground cellar in 1997 to house barrels and foudres. He progressively extended his domaine by clearing land to uncover new pockets of vines around the lieu-dit Aupilhac ("the fox's house" in Occitan). In 1998, he took a decisive step by planting a unique vineyard on the lieu-dit Les Cocalières, a high-perched and magnetic amphitheatre, north-facing, which would become the jewel of the domaine. Alongside his wife Désirée, who handles sales and distribution, Sylvain Fadat is today regarded as one of the pioneers of the Languedoc revival and has contributed greatly to bringing Montpeyroux into the circle of France's great terroirs. The domaine is rated 2 stars in the RVF Guide to the Best Wines of France.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine d'Aupilhac

The vineyard of Domaine d'Aupilhac extends over 26 hectares spread across two distinct and complementary terroirs. The first, the historic Aupilhac terroir (13.5 hectares), corresponds to the hillside terraces surrounding the village of Montpeyroux, on soils of calcareous scree (late Jurassic) alternating with blue marls from the Miocene (marine deposits with oyster fossils). This geological mosaic, fully south-facing, brings power, depth and a mineral signature to the wines. The second, the amphitheatre of Les Cocalières (8 hectares), planted in 1998, is a north-facing altitude terroir on limestone with traces of basalt left by an ancient volcano, which brings freshness and finesse in an almost Burgundian style, very different from the village wines.

The grape variety selection reflects the richness of Languedoc in all its diversity. For the reds, Mourvèdre and Carignan are the principal varieties, complemented by Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault. For the whites, the domaine cultivates Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, Rolle (Vermentino) and even a little Chenin, principally on the north-facing Les Cocalières. The domaine is managed using organic and biodynamic farming, with dual Ecocert and Demeter certification. Sylvain Fadat believes that work in the vineyard has more influence than that of the cellar on the final result: regular ploughing, controlled yields, manual harvesting at optimal ripeness, in a logic of absolute respect for the terroir.

Winemaking at Domaine d'Aupilhac

In the cellar, Sylvain Fadat applies a precise yet minimally interventionist winemaking approach, faithful to his philosophy of the primacy of the vine over the cellar. Harvesting is entirely manual, at optimal ripeness. Fermentations are conducted solely with indigenous yeasts naturally present on the grapes, with no additions whatsoever. Macerations generally last 15 to 20 days, with gentle pigeage to softly extract colour, tannins and aromas from the southern grape varieties. No oenological inputs are used, in a logic of absolute transparency with respect to the grape and the terroir.

The ageing is long and precise, in carefully selected vessels. The main cuvées (Aupilhac, Le Clos) benefit from 26 to 30 months of ageing in small foudres, barrels and demi-muids that are not new, which bring aromatic complexity without ever masking the terroir. Les Cocalières is aged for a shorter period, in a more taut and precise style. No new oak is used, and fining and filtration are kept to a strict minimum. This philosophy produces a recognisable signature: refined, complex wines, deeply rooted in their terroir, with great ageing potential, which rank among the finest expressions of contemporary Languedoc.

The cuvées of Domaine d'Aupilhac

Lou Maset Rouge : the entry-level cuvée of the domaine, in AOP Languedoc, already of great quality. Composed mainly of Cinsault and Grenache, it charms with its notes of crunchy red fruits, its suppleness, its silky tannins and its spiced finish. A vigorous, fruity and refreshing Languedoc, perfect for discovering the domaine's style on an everyday basis.

Lou Maset Rosé : the rosé version of the Lou Maset cuvée, in AOP Languedoc, crafted in the same generous and approachable spirit. Pale colour, fruity nose, fresh and thirst-quenching palate. A pleasure rosé, ideal for aperitifs and summer cuisine.

Aupilhac Rouge : the flagship cuvée of the domaine in AOP Languedoc Montpeyroux, crafted from a blend of Mourvèdre (39%), Carignan (28%), Syrah (20%), Grenache (10%) and Cinsault (3%) from the historic clay-limestone terraces. Maceration of 15 to 20 days with pigeage, ageing of 26 to 30 months in small foudres, barrels and demi-muids that are not new. Deep garnet colour with violet hues, nose of small red and black fruits, spices, garrigue herbs and liquorice, a full and fleshy palate, underpinned by a beautiful tannic structure and a freshness that extends the finish. A great fine wine from Languedoc, built for ageing.

Aupilhac Blanc : white cuvée in AOP Languedoc, crafted from white grape varieties grown on Les Cocalières (Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, Rolle, Chenin). Pale golden colour, aromatic nose of white flowers, yellow fruits and mineral notes, a vibrant and energetic palate with a textured attack, beautiful bitterness and marked salinity. A Languedoc white of exceptional purity.

Les Cocalières Rouge : a signature single-vineyard cuvée, crafted from southern grape varieties planted in 1998 on the north-facing altitude amphitheatre of Les Cocalières. Vinified with finesse, it is distinguished by its characteristic smoky edge, its fine and refined texture, its salivating length and its saline minerality. A Montpeyroux in an almost Burgundian style, with remarkable freshness, which serves as a reminder that the altitude terroirs of Languedoc rival the greatest.

Les Cocalières Blanc : the white version of the Les Cocalières cuvée, crafted from white grape varieties planted on the north-facing amphitheatre (Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, Rolle). Brilliant colour, aromatic nose of white flowers, citrus and chalky notes, a taut and precise palate with a mineral and saline signature. A great altitude Languedoc white of rare finesse.

Le Clos : the prestige cuvée and absolute flagship of the domaine, in AOP Languedoc Montpeyroux. Crafted from Mourvèdre (40%), Carignan (40%) and Syrah (20%) from old selected vines in a sector with a high proportion of blue marls. Confidential production, now offered in limited allocations. Ink-dark colour, deep and complex nose of ripe black fruits, graphite and tapenade, a dense and velvety palate with a noble tannic structure and an interminable finish. A long-distance runner, which requires a few years of cellaring to reveal its full depth. Rated 95/100 by the RVF.

La Boda : another prestigious cuvée from the domaine, in AOP Languedoc Montpeyroux, crafted from a blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre and 10% Carignan. A cuvée that marries the freshness of Les Cocalières with the power of Aupilhac. Deep colour, complex nose of red and black fruits and spices, a refined and harmonious palate with perfect balance. The great signature cuvée.

Le Carignan : a single-varietal cuvée in IGP Mont Baudile, crafted from very old Carignan vines (over 60 years old), with low yields and grapes harvested at full ripeness. Deep colour, powerful nose with aromas of black fruits, liquorice and smoky notes, structured and long palate. A benchmark Carignan, sometimes a little rustic in its youth, which reveals itself remarkably over time.

Plô des Baumes : a confidential single-vineyard cuvée, crafted from a distinct plot within the domaine. A precise and distinctive expression of a specific Montpeyroux terroir, which completes the domaine's mosaic of plots and reveals the subtle nuances between the various lieux-dits cultivated by Sylvain Fadat.