Domaine Gauby Les Calcinaires Côtes Catalanes Rouge 2021
Domaine Gauby · Domaine Gauby
Gérard Gauby is the quiet revolutionary of Roussillon, farming biodynamically at the foot of the Pyrenees where limestone meets schist in the village of Calce. Les Calcinaires is his gateway wine, yet it drinks with the seriousness and mineral transparency of bottles costing three times as much. A stunning example of where geological currents meet artisan craft.
Nose
An inviting rush of crushed blackberries and wild cherry mingles with dried garrigue herbs and cracked black pepper. Underneath, a subtle earthiness emerges alongside hints of violet and sun-warmed stone. A whisper of smoked cedar adds complexity as the wine opens.
Palate
The palate is medium-bodied yet concentrated, with juicy blackcurrant and dark cherry flavors framed by supple, fine-grained tannins. There's a saline minerality that channels the schist and limestone terroir of Calce, with a thread of green herbal freshness keeping the fruit honest. The texture is silky yet structured, showing a sophistication well beyond the price.
Finish
Long and savory, with lingering notes of dried herbs, dark plum skin, and a gentle graphite minerality that echoes the ancient soils of this remarkable terroir.
- Varietal
- Syrah
- Blend
- 50% Syrah, 25% Mourvèdre, 15% Grenache Noir, 10% Carignan; percentages remain provisional
- Vineyards
- Estate vineyards in Calce on schist and limestone soils at elevations up to 400 meters in the Agly Valley
- Alcohol
- 13.0%
- Organic / Biodynamic
- No
Food Pairing
Spiced lamb merguez sausages served over fluffy couscous with roasted root vegetables, a drizzle of harissa, and fresh mint — the wine's garrigue character and dark fruit echo the North African spice while its minerality refreshes the palate between each rich bite.
From ancient schist and limestone soils in the tiny village of Calce, Gérard Gauby channels the geological watershed of the eastern Pyrenees into wines of startling purity and terroir-driven intensity.
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