Domaine Jean-Philippe Padié 'Petit Taureau' - Vin de France, Roussillon, France
Lively, energetic and immensely drinkable, Petit Taureau is a wonderfully fresh expression of Roussillon that combines vibrant fruit with remarkable finesse. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry and black cherry mingle with violets, liquorice, cracked pepper and fragrant garrigue herbs. The palate is medium-bodied and beautifully balanced, with juicy dark fruit, silky tannins and bright acidity that give the wine an almost effortless sense of freshness. Despite its southern origins, it remains elegant and light on its feet, finishing with savoury mineral notes and a gentle touch of spice.
The fruit comes from hillside vineyards around Calce, where Carignan is planted on limestone-rich marl and Syrah on schist, bringing together two contrasting terroirs in a single wine. Jean-Philippe Padié farms organically with biodynamic principles, harvesting by hand before fermenting with indigenous yeasts. The wine undergoes a long maceration before ageing for around 10 months in concrete tanks, preserving its purity, freshness and earthy mineral character. It is bottled unfined and unfiltered with only a minimal addition of sulphur, allowing the personality of the vineyard to shine through.
Grape Variety: Carignan, Syrah (with small proportions of Mourvèdre depending on the vintage)
Style: Red – Medium-bodied, fresh, natural
Drink Window: Now – 8 years
Perfect For: Charcuterie, grilled sausages, roast pork, barbecued vegetables, rustic stews and semi-hard cheeses
A brilliantly vibrant southern French red that captures the wild beauty of Calce - pure, energetic and irresistibly drinkable, with freshness that's rarely found in wines from such a sun-drenched corner of France.
