Come and meet Pierre Cavel on Sunday, 2pm at the first of our “talk and taste with the Winemaker” series

We are having a Winemakers tasting! approximately 20 seats available.

Call us if you want to attend. 203 438 5757
Event will be this Sunday June 2nd at 2pm
$35

Domaine Clavel

For generations now, the Clavel name has been associated with winemaking in the Languedoc region of Southern France. Pierre Clavel is the current owner, following in the footsteps of his father Jean Clavel, wine historian and founder of AOC Côteaux du Languedoc.

The 81.5 acre vineyard spreads through four remarkable terroirs of Langudeoc, including Pic Saint Loup, and is cared for organically, with a respect for nature taking prime importance.

“Excellence in what I produce, in all humility, in truthfulness, and the simplest expression of my terroir.” With these words, Pierre Clavel sums up his philosophy towards wine and life.

Domaine Clavel
Rosé Mescladis 2012
AOC Coteaux du Languedoc – Pic Saint Loup
70% Syrah, 30% Grenache

This vibrant Rosé will captivate you from the first sip; its sparkling salmon color alone will catch your eye and lure you in, carrying you away to the South of France, where the vineyards are surrounded by garrigue aromas of wild Herbes de Provence… At the foot of the Pic Saint Loup massif, the 35 acres of Syrah and Grenache vines are planted in shallow soils with large underlying limestone blocks. However, the clay make-up of the soil allows for good water reserves, and the galets roulés at the surface reflect the sun’s warmth directly onto the grapes (exactly like those in Chateauneuf-du-Pape). The surrounding mountain ranges form a micro-climate with more rainfall and temperature range. All in all, a combination of elements conducive to an excellent terroir for the vine and one of the best appellations of the Languedoc.

Domaine Clavel
“Le Mas” 2011
AOC Coteaux du Languedoc
Syrah, Grenache, Carignan

“Le Mas” comes from Syrah, Grenache and Carignan vines planted in “Les Gres” soils, clay and limestone beds covered with galets roules (those rounded stones made famous by Chateauneuf-du-Pape), and large underlying limestone blocks. The galets roules stones conserve the cool morning air so that the vines don’t lose too much water in summer.
The vineyard is in its 3rd year of organic conversion: no herbicides or fungicides are used. This translates to an intense manual labor, with the soil regularly worked to help roots dig in deeper, keep vine foliage trimmed, limit weight of grapes on each stock. Balance is key between all these elements. The year-round attention and work extends to almost harvest time, when focus shifts to the cave. Grapes are sorted carefully after harvest and completely de-stemmed to remove any plant matter that would affect the final wine. Each varietal is vinified separately to reveal the individual qualities and decide on a final blend. Regular tastings decide whether to continue extracting via pigeage, delestage or remontage. The wine is aged on fine lees in concrete tanks.

AOC Pic Saint Loup
Domaine Clavel “Bonne Pioche” 2011

65% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre, 15% Grenache

90-91+ rating – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate

“Bonne Pioche” comes from 35 acres of land parcels, all grouped in the same area and so with very similar terroirs. The mostly Syrah (with Mourvedre and Grenache) vines are planted in shallow soils with large underlying limestone blocks. However, the clay make-up of the soil allows for good water reserves, and the limestone deposits at the surface reflect the sun’s warmth directly onto the grapes. Surrounding mountain ranges form a micro-climate with higher than average rainfall and major fluctuation between day and night temperatures. All in all, a combination of elements conducive to an excellent terroir for the vine and one of the best appellations of the Languedoc.

Domaine Clavel
AOC Coteaux du Languedoc – La Mejanelle
“Copa Santa” 2011

83% Syrah, 17% Grenache