"We'd been wanting to create another red for quite some time; we just couldn't wait any longer... The introduction of Mourvèdre and Grenache into production at Mas de l'Olivier, combined with the complexity of the vintage, allowed us to craft a unique wine that reflects our terroir and our expertise." — Domaine La Croix Gratiot.
Le Chant des Dolia Rouge was born from a long-held desire of Anaïs Ricôme — to create a red wine that could rival the great white cuvée of the same name, which has successfully blended Roussanne and Dolia for several vintages. The opportunity arose from the Mas de l'Olivier plot, where Mourvèdre and Grenache had come into production, providing Anaïs with the ingredients to craft a three-varietal blend of great aromatic complexity.
Domaine La Croix Gratiot, founded in 2004 by Yves and Hugues Ricôme, has been led since 2009 by Anaïs Ricôme, who trained in viticulture and oenology and was shaped by a formative experience in New Zealand. The 33- to 35-hectare vineyard stretches across the clay-limestone soils surrounding the Thau basin, in a Mediterranean climate, bathed by sea breezes carrying the scents of the garrigue. Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France 2026, 1 star: "Le Chant des Dolia red, from the same terroir as the white, holds its own against the best reds of the Languedoc."
The 2023 blend combines Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Grenache—three iconic Languedoc grape varieties in proportions tailored to the vintage. Mourvèdre provides structure, depth, and characteristic animal notes; Syrah brings spice, color, and freshness; Grenache contributes warmth and generous fruitiness. The uniqueness of the winemaking process lies in the differentiated treatment of each grape variety: all three are harvested and vinified separately, with daily punching down that promotes gentle tannin extraction, providing structure without weighing down the wine. Aging is also differentiated, and this is what makes the cuvée so unique—the Syrah and Grenache are aged in oak demi-muids, traditional vessels that impart texture and patina; the Mourvèdre, meanwhile, is aged in stoneware dolia—these large terracotta jars that allow for micro-oxygenation without any oak influence, preserving the grape variety’s natural freshness and minerality.
The 2023 vintage boasts an intense color with violet hues, a sign of beautiful concentration. The nose reveals notes of ripe red fruit that blend with spicier aromas of black pepper and graphite, giving the wine remarkable aromatic complexity. The palate is both elegant and indulgent—the attack is fresh, followed by lovely minerality and a long aromatic finish. "A delightful indulgence with a touch of freshness. The dark fruit expresses itself fully, supported by an alluring spicy aroma. The balance between the tannins and the fruit is remarkable."
Serve between 16 and 17°C; decant for 30 minutes. Pairings: confit pork belly with Pardailhan turnip purée, Aubrac beef ribeye and Arlette with morello cherries, light game, aged cheeses, chocolate savarin for those with a sweet tooth. Aging potential: 5 to 8 years.
Discover all the vintages from Domaine La Croix Gratiot.
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