Anne Gros & Jean-Paul Tollot 'La Grenache 8' Rouge, Côtes du Brian, Languedoc, France 2023

In 2005, Anne Gros — head of Domaine Anne Gros in Vosne-Romanée and a member of the storied Gros winemaking dynasty — and Jean-Paul Tollot of Domaine Tollot-Beaut in Chorey-lès-Beaune set out in search of a southern project to pursue together. After scanning the Rhône and Provence, they landed in the village of Cazelles in the Minervois, drawn by an unexpected convergence of qualities: the diversity and complexity of clay, sandstone, and limestone soils; a wealth of aged vines in Grenache, Carignan, Syrah, and Cinsault; and an elevation (approximately 220 meters) strikingly similar to Vosne-Romanée. Their first harvest was 2008. The domaine now spans 35 acres across several lieux-dits in the IGP Côtes du Brian and AOC Minervois, and produces nine cuvées — each a discrete varietal or lieu-dit expression built on the Burgundian principles of parcel-by-parcel farming, gentle vinification, and minimal intervention. 'La Grenache 8' is a single-varietal Grenache from the Fontanilles vineyard, its name a reference to the estate's total of eight cuvées.

• Winemaker: Anne Gros and Jean-Paul Tollot
• Farming: Sustainable. integrated vineyard management with environmentally respectful practices. Hand harvested.
• Variety: Grenache 100%
• Terroir: IGP Pays d'Hérault, Côtes du Brian, Cazelles, Minervois. Sourced from the Fontanilles vineyard on sandstone marl soils — a complex, mixed terrain that contributes freshness and aromatic finesse. Vines approximately 30 years old. The Cazelles plateau sits at altitude, moderating the Mediterranean heat and preserving natural acidity in the fruit.
• Vinification: Fully destemmed. Vinified in Burgundian style with indigenous yeasts and gentle extraction. No skin maceration beyond fermentation.
• Aging: Aged entirely in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and primary fruit character.
• Tasting Notes: Vivid ruby. Fresh and fruit-forward on the nose, with ripe cherry, wild berry, and a delicate garrigue thread of thyme and herbs. The palate is full-bodied yet light on its feet — Grenache's signature combination of generosity and textural transparency — with silky tannins, a lively mid-palate, and a long, spiced finish.
• Food Pairings: Grilled lamb with herbs, roast pork, Provençal daubes, ratatouille, and aged Languedoc sheep's milk cheeses.