Domaine le Sollier
DUCHE D’UZES
Is this the most remote estate of the Rhône? At about 80km west of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, it’s certainly one of them. I’ll admit that, knowing little about the producer, I was tempted to strike it off the itinerary during a day’s exploration of the new Rhône Valley appellation Duché d’Uzès (first awarded AP status with the 2012 vintage). But I’m so glad I didn’t. Domaine le Sollier is situated on the very western edge of the southern Rhône, into the foothills of the Cévennes near the town of Monoblet. The 12.5ha estate has been in the Olivier family for three generations, but they’ve only been bottling their own wines since 2006, and have been certified organic since 2015. Their intention is to create wines with the least intervention possible.
Most of their wines are bottled under IGP Cévennes, which gives them flexibility with grape varieties and blends. They grow Grenache and Syrah, but also a plenty of Cinsault and Alicante Bouschet for the reds; Viognier, Roussanne, Chardonnay and Vermentino for their whites. They bottle some Syrah-based wines under AP Duché d’Uzès, including Les Linthes (80% Syrah,
20% Grenache), a deeply mineral style of red Rhône with a straightness and freshness that’s rare in the southern Rhône.
Domaine le Sollier, Les Linthes, Duché d’Uzès 2018 92
N/A UK www.domainelesollier.fr Appealing cherry, fresh aromatics and a slight earthy, cranberry note; some pine needles in the background.
Light- to medium-bodied, quicksilver on the palate, super-fresh, with exceptionally fine tannins and good balanced acidity. The main attribute of this wine is its incredible salty grip, not just through tannin – it can only be described as minerality. Not long, not complex, but a great Rhône Syrah. 80% Syrah, 20% Grenache, yields of 25hl/ha. Organic. Drink 2021-2026 Alc 13.5%