Presentation
Located just outside Montpellier, on a terrace of rolled pebbles, Domaine D’Isnard is a family-run estate led by Ludovic Rouquairol. Heir to a winemaking tradition passed down through seven generations, he continues to honor this legacy while modernizing practices to elevate the potential of this exceptional terroir. The estate spans 40 hectares bathed in Mediterranean sunshine, offering ideal conditions for cultivating emblematic red grape varieties such as Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan. The vines, deeply rooted in stony soils, benefit from excellent water regulation, ensuring optimal ripeness of the grapes. The wines of Domaine D’Isnard reveal a generous and finely structured bouquet, marked by notes of dark fruits, spices, and garrigue. Carefully crafted vinifications highlight the balance between power and freshness, resulting in cuvées with silky tannins and beautiful aromatic complexity. A must-visit estate for lovers of authentic and expressive Mediterranean wines.
Location
Domaine D’Isnard is located just outside Montpellier, on terraces of rolled pebbles typical of the Languedoc region. The warm and dry Mediterranean climate promotes excellent ripening of the grapes. The stony soils ensure optimal drainage and natural water regulation, allowing red varieties to develop intense and balanced aromatic expression.
Terroir
Stony, well-drained soils with red clay and limestone on gently sloping terrain.
In the vineyard
The vines are cultivated with respect for the environment, using careful soil management, controlled cover cropping, and minimal inputs. Yields are deliberately kept moderate (around 35 to 40 hl/ha) to ensure concentration and finesse. Grapes are harvested by hand, early in the morning, with parcel-by-parcel sorting.
Harvest
Manual harvest with early morning picking and rigorous selection.
Winemaking
Each grape variety is vinified separately to preserve its typicity. After destemming, the grapes undergo maceration for 15 to 20 days with gentle pump-overs and punch-downs. Fermentation is temperature-controlled to manage extraction and preserve fruit purity. Blending is carried out after tasting each lot.
Ageing
Aged for 10 to 12 months in concrete tanks and French oak barrels (15% new oak), bringing roundness and complexity without masking the wine’s freshness.
Varietals
Syrah
Merlot
Serving
Serving temperature: 16 to 18°C
Ageing potential
5 to 10 years
Tasting
Élégante reveals a deep ruby robe with garnet highlights. The nose is refined and complex, blending ripe red fruits, sweet spices, licorice, and a floral touch. On the palate, the attack is smooth, the texture silky and balanced, with soft tannins and a long finish. A wine that is both charming and structured, true to its name.
Food pairings
This wine pairs beautifully with grilled red meats, herb-crusted beef fillet, slow-cooked dishes such as lamb tagine, and aged cheeses. It also complements Mediterranean cuisine with garrigue-inspired flavors.