Daniel LAFFITE is the very embodiment of a "Fenouillède". He makes Maury (some
of the best), he makes bold, rich, velvety reds and I am sure, one day, a
balanced white. He is a very bright young man, quick to learn but rooted in the
soil of his vineyards. These vineyards are situated at the eastern end of the
long valley around Maury, near Tautavel. It is beautiful countryside with the
inspiring Château de Quéribus (the Cathare fortress) looming above. The grapes
of Maury are Grenache and Carignan, and Daniel knows how to handle them both for
vin doux and superb table wine. He is aided by the fact that Carignan, here, in
what is actually part of Catalonia, gets truly ripe, characterized by both
physiological and phenolic ripeness. The Grenache-Carignan blend he makes, Cuvée
Jean Pull (named for the old man who owned these ancient vines years before
Daniel) is the prototype of wine to come from this "new "region of France. The
Bastoul-Laffite is all Grenache and the Serra del Mas (Grenache, Syrah and
Carignan, aged in barrique) is his top cuvée, and a serious wine by any
standard.
Technical information available:
Domaine des Soulanes
2005 Cuvee Jean Pull
Domaine des Soulanes
2003 Cuvee Bastoul Laffite
Domaine des Soulanes
1999 Maury