Leon Stolarski Fine Wines Domaine Sol-Payré - Cotes du Roussillon

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Online Wine Shop > Wines by grower - alphabetical > Domaine Sol-Payré - Cotes du Roussillon

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Domaine Sol-Payré

Domaine Sol-Payré

Created by Gustave Payré in 1913, the wines of Domaine Sol-Payré are now made by his grandson, Jean-Claude Sol, ably assisted by his wife Pascale. The estate is situated close to Elne, south-east of Perpignan, and the family moved a few years ago from their house in the town to a fine new house and purpose-built winery set in the heart of the vineyards. Many of the vines here date back to when the domaine was created, and yields range from 40 hl/ha down to as little as 32 hl/ha. The wines of Sol-Payré are deservedly very highly rated in the Guide Hachette, the French wine-buyer's "bible". The Tradition and Ivresse de Sens cuvées bear a similarity to the wines of nearby Spain (we are definitely in Catalan country, here), whilst the special cuvées of Imo Pectore, Ater and Scelerata are harder to pigeon-hole, with big, bold fruit flavours and great concentration.

The wines are all from Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and Carignan, with different percentages used for the different wines. Syrah definitely dominates in the Tradition and Ivresse de Sens and also the Ater, whereas Imo Pectore is a brilliant example of what can be done with Carignan, plus Mourvedre and Syrah. Although careful oak-ageing is used for some of the cuvées (with the exception of the "Tradition") the fruit is definitely the dominant force in these superb wines! They also make a Muscat de Rivesaltes, which is luscious and grapey, with sweet, exotic fruit flavours and lovely orange peel and lemon acidity. A super pudding wine, which keeps for ages, once opened. Although the Côtes du Roussillon appellation does not have quite the same reputation and kudos as Côtes du Roussillon Villages, the wines deserve to be better known, for they have a style quite unlike the wines of anywhere else in France. Try some, and you will see what we mean.

Domaine Sol-Payre Cuvée Tradition 2008 Côtes du Roussillon
Domaine Sol-Payre Tradition 2008 table

Vintage	2008
Region	Cotes du Roussillon, Elne, west of Perpignan
Colour/Style	Dry red - medium bodied.
Grapes	50% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 30% Carignan
Alcohol (a.b.v)	13.0%
Food	Roast beef or lamb, roast vegetable dishes, cheese, pasta
Next day	Better still
Drink	Excellent now, or keep for 2 or 3 years
Medium ruby red colour with a light-ish rim. The nose offers enticing aromas of cherries, stewed plums and raspberries. Notes of herby garrigue and red capsicum, combined with a touch of meatiness, add savoury nuances. The palate is loaded with fresh, juicy red cherry and raspberry fruit flavours, again with some savoury/meaty notes. All of that flavour, combined with a healthy dash of tangy acidity and just the right level of tannin makes for a wine that is deliciously drinkable already. There may even be the merest hint of spritz, which serves only to lift it further above the ordinary. This wine shows just how good Roussillon reds can be at the "lower" end, with an aromatic and flavour profile not a million miles away from really good Cotes du Rhone - but with extra dimensions of freshness and lift. This is another real winner, from one of the most reliable growers on our list.

Price: £9.20 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine Sol-Payré Ivresse de Sens 2007 Côtes du Roussillon
Domaine Sol-Payre Ivresse de Sens 2007 table

Vintage	2007
Region	Cotes du Roussillon, Elne, west of Perpignan
Colour/Style	Dry red - full bodied. Aged in oak barrels for 1 year.
Grapes	50% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 30% Carignan
Alcohol (a.b.v)	13.0%
Food	Roast beef or lamb, roast vegetable dishes, cheese, pasta
Next day	Better still
Drink	Superb now, or keep for up to 5 years
A lovely transluscent ruby/blood red core, fading gently to a wide rim. The nose has complex aromas of poached bramble and strawberry, garrigue herbs and orange peel, with subtle notes of leather and older oak (i.e. with a suggestion of cedar, rather than vanillin). Lurking in the background, there are some meaty, savoury notes, along with a hint of red capsicum, giving the wine an almost (dare I say it) Claret-like profile. The savouriness on the palate, though, is maritime Roussillon through and through - after all, Elne (where this wine is grown) is barely 10km from the sea, and those sea mists can often reach this far inland. But there's plenty of fruit in this wine, with more in the way of red fruits than black (notably cherry and redcurrant) which combine beautifully with the savoury elements. Soft tannins and decent acidity complete the package, in a wine that has a deliciously sweet and sour quality. It is very drinkable now, but undoubtedly has the structure to evolve nicely over the next 3 to 5 years.

Price: £11.30 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine Sol-Payre Imo Pectore - du Fond du Cœur 2006 Côtes du Roussillon
Domaine Sol-Payre imo Pectore 2006 table

Vintage	2006
Region	Cotes du Roussillon, Elne, west of Perpignan
Colour/Style	Dry red - full bodied.
Grapes	Mourvedre, Syrah and old vine Carignan - aged in oak
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.0%
Food	Grilled or roast meats, game, roasted vegetables
Next day	As good, or even better
Drink	Can be drunk now, or age for a further 5 years +
Semi-transluscent ruby red colour, fading to a pale rim. The nose is spectacularly complex, with aromas of cherry and bramble fruits steeped in eau de vie, allied to notes of cocoa, sandalwood, leather, tobacco and aromatic spices - clearly the product of beautifully ripe fruit and masterly barrel ageing. The palate is equally classy and complex, with generous, sweet black fruit flavours complemented by tangy sour cherry and orange peel, whilst subtle notes of garrigue herbs and red meat add savouriness. Ripe, velvety tannins and ample acidity complete the package. Restrained power and elegance are the watchwords. In fact, having already written that the 2007 Cuvée Ater (see below) is the best wine of the current crop from Sol-Payré, I must say that this one compares very favourably. The wines of Domaine Sol-Payré have always been reliably lovely, but it is clear that winemaker Jean-Claude Sol is not happy to rest on his laurels. As with the Ater, this one has raised the quality to a new level. Yet another fantastic wine.

Price: £13.79 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine Sol-Payre Ater Noir 2007 Côtes du Roussillon
Domaine Sol-Payre Ater 2007 table

Vintage	2007
Region	Cotes du Roussillon, Elne, west of Perpignan
Colour/Style	Dry red - full bodied.
Grapes	Syrah, Grenache and Carignan
Alcohol (a.b.v)	14.0%
Food	Beef, lamb, game in rich sauces
Next day	Even better
Drink	Drinking well now, but will improve for 5 to 8 years
An almost opaque blood red core, leading to a narrow, light purple rim. The rich, bramble, cherry and plum aromas typical of previous vintages are all present and correct. But it's not just about the fruit - there's a whole lot more going on here, with subtle cedar, leather and tobacco aromas, courtesy of very skilful oak-ageing, along with some enticingly meaty, savoury elements lurking in the background. Many of these elements take some time to emerge (in fact, it really does come into its own on day 2) but they are worth waiting for, because this a truly impressive and considerably complex wine. It oozes class, though in a restrained, almost elegant (rather than overt) way. Not that it lacks power - far from it - but the luscious yet tangy red and black fruit flavours and those savoury elements, combined with fine, chocolatey tannins and just the right level of acidity, all seem to add up to something much more than the sum of its parts. The finish is long and spicy. It is already a delight to drink now, although the fact that it shows so brilliantly on the second day marks it out as a wine that should age and improve superbly, over the next 5 to 8 years, perhaps more. This has become my favourite cuvée from Sol-Payré over the years, and this may just turn out to be the best one yet. A gold medal winner at the 2009 Concours Genéral in Paris..

Price: £13.79 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Minimum order value, delivery charges, times and restrictions

We deliver only to UK and Northern Ireland addresses. The minimum order value is £75 (plus the delivery charge). You may of course choose a mix of any wines in our range. Orders between £75 and £200: delivery charge is £7.50. Orders over £200: delivery is free! (If your order is over £200, please remember to change the delivery charge in checkout to £0.00). Please note: Delivery to non-mainland addresses (Scottish Highlands and Islands, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, etc.) is usually possible, but may not be on a next-working-day basis. It is also more expensive than delivery to mainland addresses, so will be charged at cost (for orders under £200) but with a small discount for orders over £200 - please call us for a quote.

Warning - you must be aged 18 or over

It is an offence to purchase or attempt to purchase alcohol if you are under the age of 18. (Section 149 Licensing Act 2003).We reserve the right to seek proof of age. Leon Stolarski says "drink less, but drink better!" Please consume alcohol in moderation.