Domaine Cabirau
AOP Cotes du Roussillon

After 27 years importing wine, Hand Picked Selections President Dan Kravitz took the plunge and purchased his own vineyard in Roussillon. Named Cabirau after the vineyard’s original designation, the domaine is in the town of Maury, on a hillside below the ancient Cathar fortress of Queribus.

Vineyards: Nearly 23 acres total: 15.2 Grenache, 1.5 Syrah, 3.6 Carignan, 2.4 Macabeau. Vineyards are planted in the village of Maury in soils dominated by black schist. Parcels vary in age, and include about 13 acres of 25-30 year old vines, 2 acres of 40 year old vines, 4 acres of 65 year old vines and 3 acres of Carignan planted in 2009.

Viticulture: Manually harvested. From 25 and 60 year Grenache vines planted in schistous soils and a mix of old vines and newly planted Syrah and Carignan.

Vinification: The Grenache was unoaked, the Syrah and Carignan underwent malolactic fermentation and 5 months maturaion in 500 demi-muids

Tasting Notes: The backbone of the Syrah and Carignan ally perfectly with the opulent Grenache, giving a medium-bodied wine of intense black fruit flavors, redolent of mountain herbs.

Approachable now, this wine will accompany fine meals of lamb, wild birds or game for years to come.

Made by the team at VTV co-op in Tautavel and importer Dan Kravitz, Domaine Cabirau was created in 2007 when Kravitz purchased 13.5 acres of Grenache located around the village of Maury. Today, the estate covers 18 acres from which they produce two cuvees, both largely based on Grenache: a classic Cotes du Roussillon and a Maury Sec Serge and Nicolas. These are terrific wines that show the classic fruit and minerality of the region, yet also possess a beautiful sense of elegance and purity. They should be on any wine lover’s list.”