Domaine des Enfants La Larme de l'Ame 2018

Domaine des Enfants, La Larme de l'Ame 2018

Domaine des Enfants was set up by Marcel, a bored Swiss banker just over 10 years ago. After visiting Languedoc Roussillon he decided to buy some old vineyards and the rest is history as they say. His viticultural practises are slightly insane - he ploughs everything by horse, the whole 12 hectares - he's got arms to prove it! Also due to low rainfall and very old vines yields are crazily low considering the price points of the wines. The Jouet rouge is made from a teeny 15hl/ha. To put this into perspective, grand crus Burgundy yields are usually around 40hl/ha. Oh and he also farms organically.

50% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 25% Carignan from over 70 year old vines. Incredibly, the yields were just 5hl/ha! Marcel says the reasons for these insanely low yields are a combination of old vines naturally producing low yields, plus termites nibbling away at the old trunks as well as incredibly little water available. He doesn't believe in irrigation, so this is the result. However, what is produced is absolutely delicious. Really concentrated and full of depth, balanced by glorious, fresh acidity.