Anne Gros et Jean Paul Tollot

History of Domaine Anne Gros and Jean-Paul Tollot

Anne Gros is one of the great names in Burgundian viticulture. Born into a winegrowing family established in Vosne-Romanée, she manages Domaine Anne Gros with a rigour and precision recognised internationally, notably on prestigious vineyards such as Richebourg. Jean-Paul Tollot himself comes from an old family of winegrowers in Chorey-lès-Beaune and manages Domaine Tollot-Beaut. These two winemakers, who are married to each other, share a common passion for terroirs of exceptional quality and precision viticulture.

After decades of vinifying Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the desire to explore new horizons led them in 2006 to set their sights on plots "a little off the beaten track" in the north of the Minervois, at Cazelles. The Causse Minervois area, marked by its altitude (200 to 500 metres), its most significant nocturnal temperature drops in the Minervois and more regular rainfall, immediately reminded them of Burgundy through its freshness and the slow ripening of the grapes. Each plot and each variety are vinified separately to understand their specific expression: "We waited a year to discover their individuality and their complementarity. A year of maturation before deciding on the blends." Four wines were born from the first vintage of 2008. Since then, the range has expanded to around ten cuvées. The colour orange, symbolising the earth blending with the sun, adorns all the estate's labels, materials and packaging in a unique visual harmony.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Anne Gros and Jean-Paul Tollot

The estate spans 15 hectares, spread across three complementary terroirs: the Côte du Brian, the Minervois and the Minervois Cazelles. These terroirs are situated in the Causse Minervois, at altitudes between 200 and 500 metres, offering the most significant nocturnal temperature drops in the Minervois and among the slowest grape ripening in the region. Rainfall is greater and more regular than across the Minervois as a whole, lending the wines a precious freshness and natural acidity. The Cazelles soils alternate between fractured limestone, sandstone, marls and clay-limestone, with a geological diversity comparable to certain Burgundian terroirs and ideally suited to the plot-by-plot approach sought by Anne and Jean-Paul.

The grape variety selection reflects the winemakers' curiosity and enthusiasm for indigenous Languedoc varieties: Carignan (old vines), Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Marselan for the reds; Vermentino and perhaps Muscat for the whites. Each variety is cultivated with care and in respect of the environment, following a committed, reasoned viticulture approach, with manual harvesting across the entire vineyard. Biodiversity and terroir balance are absolute priorities for the estate.

Winemaking at Domaine Anne Gros and Jean-Paul Tollot

The winemaking philosophy is resolutely Burgundian, applied to southern grape varieties. Plot-by-plot vinification: each plot and each variety are vinified separately to reveal their individuality before blending. Indigenous yeasts. Gentle extractions, without roughness. Fermentations in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, as in Burgundy, to master temperatures and preserve aromatic freshness. Ageing in barrels and tanks according to the cuvée, for adapted durations. Freshness is the "common thread" running through all the cuvées: "southern in aromas but not in palate profiles." The wines are acclaimed "for their vivacity, as well as for their ripe, well-fruited and harmonious profile." Suppleness, exceptionally high tannin quality, delicate fruit and outstanding velvety texture are the estate's constant signatures.

The Cuvées of Domaine Anne Gros and Jean-Paul Tollot

Minervois La 50/50: The estate's iconic and best-known cuvée, whose name is itself a signature: the equal-parts collaboration between Anne Gros and Jean-Paul Tollot. A blend of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah from the Côtes du Brian, from 25-year-old vines on marl and fractured limestone soils. "The most structured cuvée of the estate, one that needs a little more space and time." The 2021 delivers a fresh and fleshy nose, "dominated by a generous fruit juice punctuated by a beautiful accent of violet and white flowers, the signature of Grenache on this terroir." A lush and dense palate, fine yet well-present tannins, uncommon balance. "Ideal for a first discovery: supple, expressive, balanced, it embodies the identity of the estate."

IGP Côtes du Brian La CinsO: A single-variety red cuvée made from 100% Cinsault, "a wager on a variety that the Languedoc often treats as a supporting player." The name is a wordplay between Cinsault and the "O" that runs through the entire nomenclature of the estate. On the marls and fractured limestones of the Côtes du Brian. "This light and fruity variety yields a red of unexpected class: structural lightness, aromatic frankness, supple Burgundian texture." Where the 50/50 plays on density and character, the CinsO plays on lightness. Aromas of fresh red fruits and flowers, light and silky palate. A gastronomic Cinsault, capable of surprising fine wine lovers.

Minervois Les Carretals: A red cuvée from very old Carignan vines, "a deep wine built for ageing." Les Carretals expresses all the depth and complexity of this often unloved variety, here revealed in its finest expression, thanks to the age of the vines and the care bestowed by Anne and Jean-Paul. Aromas of deep dark fruit, spices, limestone minerality, dense and full-bodied palate. The estate's collectible, long-ageing cuvée.

Minervois La Ciaude: A red Minervois cuvée made from Grenache and Syrah, "in a more accessible and more immediate style than Les Carretals." A fruity and balanced red wine, expressing the southern warmth tempered by the freshness of the Causse. Aromas of garrigue, red fruits and spices. The estate's convivial cuvée.

IGP Côtes du Brian Les Combettes: A red cuvée from a blend of varieties across the Côtes du Brian, reflecting the estate's plot-by-plot diversity. A red wine of beautiful complexity and expressiveness, in the precise and fresh style characteristic of the estate.

IGP Côtes du Brian Les Fontanilles: A red cuvée from a blend of the estate's plots on the Côtes du Brian. One of the first cuvées created by Anne and Jean-Paul, expressing the singularity of the marl and sandstone terroirs of the Causse.

IGP Côtes du Brian La Grenache 8: A red cuvée made from Grenache, the region's flagship variety, expressing the fractured limestone terroirs of the Côtes du Brian. A red wine with generous fruitiness and a velvety texture, typical of Grenache's expression on these cool mountain terroirs.

IGP Côtes du Brian Le Clos: A red cuvée from a specific plot on the estate, vinified separately to express the singularity of this particular terroir. A red wine of character and depth.

IGP Côtes du Brian L'O de la Vie: A confidential red cuvée whose poetic name evokes eau de vie and the vitality of the terroir. Made from an expressive blend of the estate's varieties. A wine for sharing and conviviality in an ample and fruity style.

La Vermentino / La Frivole Muscat (White): The estate's white cuvées, "a first foray beyond red varieties that demonstrates the estate excels equally in the vinification of dry, taut white wines." La Vermentino is made from the eponymous variety, with aromas of citrus fruit and white flowers and a characteristic mineral finish. La Frivole, made from Muscat, is a light and aromatic cuvée, "frivolous" in spirit as its name suggests. Two whites that complement an essentially red range with originality and freshness.