Domaine Peyre Rose - Syrah Léone 2004

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

This elegant wine gains depth year after year, with a note of black olive unlike any found elsewhere. On the palate, these aromas carry through and give way to dark tobacco. When tasted again in 2019, the slight dryness that was somewhat off-putting a few years ago had completely disappeared, leaving behind an incredible explosion of flavors.

About the estate:

This vineyard, tucked away at the end of an obscure path, is farmed organically by Marlène Soria. Marlène produces three red wines dominated by Syrah: Clos des Cystes, Syrah Léone (now known as Belle Léone), and, since the 2003 vintage, Marlène N° 3 from a new terroir. Les Cistes comes from the highest part of the estate, situated on very hard, stony soils. This cuvée has more acidity than Belle Léone, which is planted on more crumbly rocks that are easily permeated by water: it is often the most sensual cuvée. Marlène N°3 is neither a third nor a second wine. As the estate’s third planting, it is certainly the best-planted of the plots, with a higher proportion of Grenache, and it is the one that benefits most from aging. As for the white wine, Oro is made from Rolle, Roussanne, and Viognier, complemented by several other Languedoc grape varieties. If one had to give Peyre Rose a synonym, it would surely be “One Thousand and One Nights,” so enchanting are its finishes.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 2004 Syrah Leone is a stunning wine offering rich notes of blackcurrant, smoked meats, pepper, spices, and bouquet garni. Beautifully balanced, with the fuller-bodied character of the vintage, it features integrated acidity, a silky, polished texture, and remarkable length. It is a marvel full of character, best enjoyed over the next 5–6 years.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

Camphor, menthol, clay, and depth and complexity that are "out of the ordinary."

About the estate:

Almost 40 years ago, after a career in real estate, Marlène Soria acquired a plot of land in the hills above Saint-Pargoire. In the heart of the garrigue, she created her vineyard from scratch, first planting table grapes (Servant, Chasselas) and then wine grapes (Ugni Blanc, Syrah). Her first harvest was in 1988, but it was in 1993 that the success story began with the release of her first Servant white wine. Such were the foundations of one of the most inspiring success stories in French viticulture. Today, the vineyards span 30 hectares, 10 of which are planted in terraces. Her son joined her at the estate in 2012; the estate is completely energy self-sufficient thanks to wells and solar panels, enabling viticulture that is 100% respectful of the surrounding natural environment. The style stands out: aging is very long, often more than ten years, yet also very subtle. The Oro white, sadly too rare, is the flagship of the Soria style. Less forceful, the reds reveal a fiery intensity that refines with time.