In the glass
Aroma: dark cherry, liquorice, smoke, garrigue
Palate: blackberry, tar, savoury, fine grain tannin
Old-vine (1911-planted) pure Carignan from Clos du Gravillas - Lo Vielh means 'the old one'; smoky, liquorice-tinged and structured for long ageing.
What it pairs with
-
Slow-braised lamb shoulder
Carignan's structure and smoke note carry slow-cooked lamb. -
Aged Manchego or Mahon
Salt-and-nut sheep cheese contrasts the wine's tar and liquorice. -
Cassoulet
Languedoc classic with the region's oldest old-vine Carignan.
History
Lo Vielh (the old one) is the pure Carignan cuvée of Clos du Gravillas, drawn from vines planted in 1911. Nicole and John Bojanowski founded Clos du Gravillas in Saint-Jean-de-Minervois and farm organically.
- 1911 — Vineyard parcel planted with Carignan
- 2002 — First vintage of Lo Vielh from the 1911 vines
Facts
- Producer
- Clos du Gravillas
- Grapes
- Carignan (100%)
- Classification
- AOC Minervois
- Oak
- 12-14 months in used French oak barriques
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 30-45 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-15 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2002
- Organic
- ORGANIC CERTIFIED
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Lo Vielh
What does Clos du Gravillas Lo Vielh taste like?
Dark cherry, liquorice, smoke and garrigue on the nose; blackberry, tar, savoury notes and fine-grain tannin on the palate. Full-bodied with firm tannins and a long finish.
When should I drink Clos du Gravillas Lo Vielh?
Drink between 5 and 15 years from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 90 minutes of decanting; the wine reaches its peak at 8-12 years.
What grapes are in Lo Vielh?
One hundred percent Carignan from a parcel planted in 1911 - over 110 years old. Lo Vielh means 'the old one' in Occitan.
What food pairs with Clos du Gravillas Lo Vielh?
Slow-braised lamb shoulder is the canonical pairing; Carignan's structure and smoke note carry slow-cooked lamb. Aged Manchego and cassoulet are equally strong matches.