Located in La Crau, a few kilometers from Pierrefeu, Domaine de La Maïonnette spreads on a 30 hectare-vineyard where the wines are grown with passion to express the best of its terroir. La Maïonnette has been an independent winegrower since 1913.
The vines are equally divided between two appellations: AOP Côtes de Provence and IGP Méditerranée.
In addition to the traditional rosé wines of Provence, Domaine de La Maïonnette offers high quality white and red wines.
The estate benefits from a Mediterranean climate, where winters are rigorous and allow the vine to regenerate more easily, and summers are hot, providing a beautiful maturity to the grapes. The sea breeze avoids radical changes in temperature.
The wines of Domaine de la Maïonnette reflect the elegance of the Provençal terroir, characterized by the hot and dry climate. The clay-limestone based soils represent an ideal place to grow the grapes thanks to their ability to retain the water better, while bringing body and power to the wine, and leaving them supple and round.
The night harvest - that favors the freshness of the aromas - and the vinification are also thought to enhance the quality of the grapes ripening under the Mediterranean climate.
The Malard family has been rooted in wine for 3 generations. In the 90s, Jean-Louis Malard developed his own Champagne wines. He quickly became one of the major players in the Champagne landscape. Passionate about wine and driven by entrepreneurship, he's always in the search for new challenges around his passion. Attached to the Provence region and the quality of the wines produced there, purchasing Domaine de La Maïonnette was the perfect match and the result of a long research and meticulous work.
Domaine La Maionnette Rose Cotes de Provence is made from 60% Syrah, 20% Cinsault and 20% Grenache.
The plots of Domaine de la Maïonnette benefit from a clay-limestone soil and are located on a plateau surrounded by hundred-year-old oaks. Bordered by the Provencal scrubland, the vineyard enjoys a dry climate typical of the region.
An emblematic cuvée of the estate, this Cotes de Provence rosé reveals concentrated aromas of citrus fruits and white flowers, and a beautiful structure. The fresh palate brings out sweet candy notes, gooseberry and litchi, and delivers bright acidity and ample length on the finish.
Maionnette Mediterranee Blanc is made from 30% Rolle, 30% Viognier, 20% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc.
Domaine de la Maïonnette is produced from grapes benefiting from an ideal location next to the river and planted on a clay-limestone based soil with a silty character, which brings suppleness, roundness and lightness to the wines.
La Maionnette is a brilliant straw yellow colored white offering delicate aromas of citrus fruits, and fresh notes of pear and apricot. Rich and round on the palate, and a good balance.
All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.
Luis Canas Rioja Crianza is made from 95% Tempranillo and 5% Garnacha
A classic style Rioja from one of the regions most enduring family run wineries.. The hillside terraced vineyards are sheltered by the Sierra Cantabria Mountains to the north from harsh weather extremes. Small plot production is utilized in this region of infertile chalky clay soil to produce clusters of excellent quality. Almost 900 plots are needed to complete the approximately 400 hectares of estate-owned or cellar-controlled vineyards, some with vines more than 100 years in age.
Tasting notes
Made from 95% Tempranillo, 5% Garnacha of 30 years of age, the wine shows a ruby red color, a clean nose with nuances of balsamic, plum and cedar. The palate is smooth and velvety, complex and structured, with fruit, spice flavors with toasted oak. A pleasant finish with red fruits and hints of eucalyptus.
The harvest
This year in Rioja Alavesa the weather has been especially cold, the summer short and dry, and there has been plenty of rain in early September. This has produced wines with great aromatic notes, particularly those coming from high altitude areas, very fragrant and with great structure.
Winemaking and aging
Upon entering the bodega and passing the selection table, the grapes are de-stemmed and crushed before undergoing fermentation and then maceration in stainless steel tanks for a total of 8 days, obtaining better color extraction as well as much more complex wines, suitable for prolonged aging. The wine is clarified with vegetable gelatines and follows anicrobic filtration.
It is ideal to pair with meats; red meat, poultry, small game, oily fish, semi-cured cheeses, spicy dishes and hot dishes such as beans or potatoes Rioja style.
After its primary fermentation, the wine is placed in barrels where it undergoes malolactic fermentation and is aged for a minimum of 12 months. It is then bottled for at least another 12 months.
Review:
"Juicy Bing cherries, peppery herbs, leather, and cedarwood notes all emerge from the 2021 Rioja Crianza, a medium-bodied, concentrated, round, layered red that has supple tannins, beautiful fruit, and a great finish. This classic Rioja has tons to love."
- Jeb Dunnuck (Importer Highlight: Fran Kysela ; July 2024), 91 pts