The first wines from the exceptional 2015 vintage at Domaine Saint Lucie and Domaine des Diables are now in stock and ready for delivery.
Guillaume and Virginie report that 2015 will undoubtedly be the best vintage of the decade. After a rainy and warm winter, the spring was hot, summer was sunny and dry, and the harvest period was finished at the earliest date since 2003, with no rain at all.
The Mistral, which blew almost all the the summer. kept the vines well aerated and there was no stress from problems in the vineyards, so that the grapes harvested were in perfect condition, while the beautiful weather at harvest-time allowed them to wait for perfect maturity.
The wines have turned out very aromatic as usual, elegant with pale and very bright colours, and well-balanced palates. The rosés are particularly moreish and gourmand (as the untranslatable French expression goes), easy to like, streamlined and long. The whites are rich and complex.
Last year saw these domaines’ wines were awarded 42 medals at various wine competitions in Europe, including the Domaine Ste Lucie’s 5th ‘Prix d’Excellence’ at the Concours Générale Agricole, as well as being written about extensively in the UK press:-
2013 MIP* Made in Provence Classic White Domaine Sainte Lucie
Very grassy and pungent. Flinty and stony too. Lovely ripe stone fruit on the palate – a funny mix of Sancerre and Condrieu. Good length, bright and powerful. Really enjoyable. 2014-2016 Richard Hemming on JancisRobinson.com
2013 MADE IN PROVENCE! Premium Rosé Domaine Sainte Lucie
A notch finer — and for once cheaper — is the glorious, herb and pink-pepper laden, syrah-dominant 2013 Made in Provence Premium by St Lucie, a ballet-slipper pink. April 2014 Jane MacQuitty, The Times
2013 MIP* Made in Provence Classic Rosé Domaine Sainte Lucie
Dancing acidity, cantaloup melon, summer jasmine, a smash brand. Sport it like a label. Kate Spicer, The Sunday Times
