Domaine de l’Oratoire St-Martin

It has been fascinating to observe the steady progress towards ever more refined wines at this 28ha top estate; the Alarys are local royalty, with the family contributing much to the standing of the village for several decades. Frédéric Alary reflects on their modus operandi in the following way: ‘ I find I am coming back to what my grandfather did – I have suppressed the 228-litre and 600-litre oak casks in favour of large barrel or concrete vat for maturing the reds. The casks broadened the wines, whereas I want to lengthen them.’