Domaine Le Roc - Fronton Cuvée Don Quichotte 2022

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Le Roc is among the leading producers of Fronton. The range is extensive, and the top-tier wines demonstrate with every vintage that Fronton can possess depth and genuine aging potential. This is proven with every new tasting of a wine from the estate that is over 10 years old, which always surprises with its youthful character.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

The color is clean, a deep, intense red. The nose, as powerful as it is charming, blends fruity notes with hints of violet and spice—so characteristic of Négrette—combined here with Syrah. The palate, both rich and refined, full-bodied yet lively, is infused with the fruitiness of cherries and wild strawberries that lingers delightfully through to the finish, supported by perfectly integrated oak (aged in 400L barrels and large casks) and incredibly silky tannins. Irresistible.

About the estate:

In the Ribes family, there’s a place for everyone. Jean-Luc, who plays the blues in his spare time, took over the family estate in 1981 and was joined over the years by his brother Frédéric and his wife, Cathy, then by Pierre, and now by Anne and Grégoire, representing the latest generation. The estate now spans 35 hectares between Ch. le Roc (certified organic) and Ch. Flotis (in conversion to organic), taken over in 2018 by Fabienne and Raphaël Agosti but still vinified by the Ribes family.

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

About the wine:

While slightly less expressive today, Don Quichotte follows in the same tradition, with a slightly more velvety texture and tannins that are a bit more supple and complex.

About the estate:

For many years, the Ribes family has been producing some of the most distinctive and memorable wines in the Fronton appellation. With the arrival of the younger generation—Grégoire and Anne—the vineyards of Château Flotis, a neighboring estate previously managed by the family, were incorporated into Le Roc. With a consistency that commands admiration, the Négrette displays its most original characteristics here, also demonstrating its ability to evolve gracefully, particularly in the iconic Don Quichotte cuvée, where Syrah also plays a role. But the Haut du Bois, a new cuvée made from 100% Négrette, has the potential to steal the show... The Bouysselet, grafted and vinified in barrels, asserts its character and ambition. The wines of Le Roc do you good! Thanks to them, you feel so far removed from hollow elitism and pretensions of fleeting sophistication... The latest vintages are particularly compelling, so yes, such depth, authenticity, and pleasure deserve a second star!