Type: Red Wine
Country: France
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
Code: PROF015
The Marselan grape was created in 1961 by Paul Truel, a leading ‘Ampleographer’ (Ampleography is the science of identifying, naming and classifying vines and grape varieties). Nowadays this is all done through DNA, but in Truel's time, it was a highly skilled and scientific process. He was described as man of rigor, an insatiable researcher, untiring worker, endowed with a breath-taking memory and an unparalleled observer. The idea of him working away in the lab, combined with the test tubes, ... Read More
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Xavier Roger

Xavier Roger’s roots were firmly in the vineyards of Sancerre in the Loire Valley. Son of Jean-Max Roger whose 34ha domaine in the village of Bué, just south-west of town of Sancerre, is renowned for its production of high quality, Sancerre, Menetou-Salon and Pouilly Fumé. However three is a crowd, and with his brothers Thibault and Etienne working at the family domaine, Xavier set out on his own and made his own way.

 

After attending winemaking school in Burgundy followed by three years of viticulture training at the agronomy school in Montpelier, Xavier spent the 1990’s gaining international winemaking experience in the US, New Zealand and Germany before returning to France to work in Bordeaux.

 

After three years running  a 60ha estate in Nimes, Xavier joined Alain Grignon who had set up LGI in 1999, along with Thierry Leduc and Englishman Mark Lynton, to run the entire winemaking operation as well as developing relationships with some of the finest growers in the region. It is these close relationships which puts Xavier ahead of all others in securing the best parcels of grapes in the region.

 

In 2013 Alain Grignon retired and Xavier took over the general management of the company, whilst maintaining full control of the winemaking process and grower relationships.

 

Mastering the nuances of Sothern French varietals and combining traditional as well as innovative winemaking techniques, Xavier Roger wines are a superb example of the quality that is now being produced in the South of France.

 

Dark and intense ruby with purple hues in the glass. The nose is perfectly spiced with hints of black pepper and violet with aromas of blackberry and cassis. This wine offers a rich and dense mouth feel, followed by concentrated flavours. The finish is long and juicy with subtle tannins
Enjoy this wine at room temperature, with beefsteak and French fries, beef stew, rustic pasta
The grapes are harvested when reaching the perfect level of ripeness. All the berries are destemmed to macerate at 5°C in an inert atmosphere to avoid oxidation and extract the subtle aromas and fine tannins. The wine is aged for 6 months in stainless steel tanks, on its fine lees. The Marselan is a rare and precious Mediterranean varietal, that express its outstanding potential on sun drenched and low-yielded terroirs, with rough soils made of gravel and pebbles

Brian Elliott, Midweek Wines, June 2023: "Marselan is a cross between cabernet sauvignon and grenache and was developed in France about 60 years ago. While older marselans can display their parent’s typical flavours and richness, young versions like this often provide lighter, youthful, summer drinking when gently chilled. Dark in colour but light in body, this example delivers juicy blackcurrant and red plum flavours coupled with good acidity and suggestions of fudge and cinnamon."

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