Le Soula rouge 2021, Côtes catalanes Le Soula | Roussillon

The red Soula from the Le Soula wine estate is the fruit of a high-altitude terroir nestled in the Pyrenean foothills of the Fenouillèdes region in northern Roussillon. On these granite soils perched between 350 and 600 meters above sea level, vines of Syrah, Carignan and Grenache Noir forge a wine of powerful yet elegant character, marked by the freshness typical of mountain terroirs. This cuvée perpetuates the heritage of biodynamic viticulture , respectful of both living organisms and the terroir, and is a brilliant embodiment of the search for balance begun by the wine estate in the 1990s.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin: Le Soula rouge is one of those Roussillon cuvées that reinvent the southern identity through a higher, finer reading. Under the guidance of Wendy Wilson, the expression of Syrah, Carignan and Grenache Noir stands out as much for its intensity as for its freshness of climate and precision. It's a wine of finesse and subtlety, which breaks with the codes of Roussillon without denying its Mediterranean structure. It has the nervous structure I associate with altitude, with perfectly ripe tannins and juicy fruit. A benchmark cuvée, a must for lovers of elegance in the Côtes Catalanes.

On the nose, this cuvée reveals a bouquet of black cherry, blackcurrant and warm blueberry. Aeration reveals a delicately peppery floral touch, and a hint of menthol that enhances the fruity scents.

The palate opens with a supple body, carried by lively, structuring acidity. The black fruits of the nose are again present, enhanced by fine bitters and a stimulating peppery touch. The tannins, melted without dissolving, support an elongated, almost dance-like finish. A wine of relief and freshness, made for the table as well as for laying down.