The Estate is situated in Rousillon, in the South West corner of France and is responsible for producing rich, elegant wines from a region that, ordinarily, lacks the glamour of many regions in the North. The region itself has closer links to Spain than it does to France as its inhabitants ally themselves closely to Catalunya, just over the border. Much of the land is unsuitable for agriculture, with exception to a small parcel of land on schistose slopes, on which the vine thrives, producing terrior-driven wines. The Estate covers 30 Hectares and is farmed biodynamically, which in short means the winemakers manage the vineyard as a living organic system, which is part of a wider lunar and cosmic systems. So for example, if there is a problem on the vine they don’t treat it with man-made or manufactured substances but rather look to the cause and heal it naturally. The result, (whether you’re a biodynamic believer or not!), is astounding. These wines are purer, have a cleaner character and ohh so much more finesse!

Both the whites and reds are blends and are just magical. The white is made up of Sauvignon Blanc, Marsanne, Roussane, Grenache Blanc, Maccabeu and Malvoisie.....phew! The proportions of which differ from vintage to vintage. The reds comprise Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Syrah and Carignan. These wines are not cheap, but yields are painfully low with the region having experienced 5 years of near-drought conditions.

2006 Le Soula Blanc, Vin de Pays des Cotes Catalan £22.45, BerryBros/Majestic Wine.  Notes of apricot, white musk, and sesame give this wine has a toasty complexity,with  medium body and a smooth elegant mouth feel. Try to source an older vintage as this wine would definitely benefit from cellaring. 

2004 Le Soula Rouge, Vin des Pays des Cotes Catalan £19.99,  Majestic Wine; A rich and spicy red with notes of blackberry, dark cherry, mocha, Asian spices and meaty undertones. Loads of character, broad palate, expressive fruit and well-integrated oak.

So, do yourselves a favour and take a stroll down St James to Berry Bros or pop into Majestic wine cellars and experience Gerard Gauby's wines first hand.