Domaine Le Roc - Fronton Les Hauts du Bois 2022

Le Roc ranks among Fronton’s top producers. The range is extensive, and the top-tier wines demonstrate with every vintage that Fronton wines 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—wines that are always surprisingly youthful.

A beautiful tribute to the Négrette grape, showcased here in a wine that is both generous and refined. The open, expressive nose reveals intense aromas of ripe red and black fruits, licorice, and sweet spices, along with the violet scent so characteristic of this grape variety. The palate captivates with its richness and balance: juiciness, body, and a sumptuous, round, velvety texture, with a slight sweetness and perfectly balanced freshness. The violet note lingers throughout the tasting, right through to the long, expressive finish. A wine with character that brilliantly showcases the grape variety’s identity.

In the Ribes family, everyone has their place. 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, who represent the latest generation. The estate now spans 35 hectares between Ch. le Roc (certified organic) and Ch. Flotis (in the process of converting to organic), which was taken over in 2018 by Fabienne and Raphaël Agosti but is still vinified by the Ribes family.

The ambitious Hauts du Bois cuvée boasts magnificent aromatic intensity (mentholated licorice, smoked tea, floral notes of violet, iris, and peony...): explosive, with flavor taking center stage, while the structure provides length and fullness.

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 that the family had already been managing, were incorporated into Le Roc. With admirable consistency, the Négrette variety reveals its most original characteristics here, while also demonstrating its ability to evolve gracefully—particularly in the iconic Don Quichotte cuvée, where Syrah also plays a significant role. But the Haut du Bois, a new cuvée made exclusively from Négrette, has what it takes to steal the show... The Bouysselet, grafted and aged in barrels, asserts its character and ambition. Le Roc’s wines are a delight! Thanks to them, one feels 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!