Domaine de l'Hortus Grande Cuvée Rouge by Domaine de l'Hortus

Structure

Bodyfull

Tanninfirm

Aciditymedium

Sweetnessdry

Finishlong

Oakbarrel aged

Drinking window

Best 5 to 15 years from vintage.

vintage5 yrs15 yrs17 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninMedium acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: blackberry, violet, leather, garrigue, graphite

Palate: black plum, dried herbs, tobacco, firm tannin

Mourvedre-Syrah from Hortus's two opposing terroirs at the foot of the limestone cliffs. The Orliac family's flagship cuvee at Domaine de l'Hortus since the early 1990s.

What it pairs with

Slow-braised lamb shoulder
Firm tannins cut the fat; garrigue and dried herb register echoes Provençal seasoning.
Wild boar civet
Game's depth meets the wine's leather and tobacco core.
Aged Roquefort
Blue cheese's funk and salt sit well against the wine's graphite finish.
Côte de boeuf charcoal-grilled
Char and char-grilled fat meet the wine's structure and tobacco depth.

How to serve Domaine de l'Hortus Grande Cuvée Rouge

Allow 90 minutes from open to pour.

Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving for vintages under 8 years old; pour into a wide decanter to allow Mourvèdre's firm tannins to integrate.
Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature is the band. Mourvèdre shuts down below 15 degrees; above 19 the alcohol pushes forward.
Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style or Burgundy-style bowl; the wider bowl rewards Mourvèdre's full structure and leather aromatics.
Pair with the food. Slow-braised lamb shoulder, wild boar civet, or aged Roquefort. The wine wants slow-cooked fat and savoury depth.

History

Jean Orliac's flagship Hortus red, sourced from two opposing-exposure parcels at the foot of the Hortus cliff: the cooler north-east Syrah and the warmer south-east Mourvèdre. The wine that elevated Pic Saint-Loup's reputation in the 1990s and 2000s.

1990: First vintage of Domaine de l'Hortus flagship red
2017: Pic Saint-Loup elevated to standalone cru AOC, separate from Languedoc

Facts

Producer: Domaine de l'Hortus · visiting guide
Grapes: Mourvèdre, Syrah
Classification: AOC Pic Saint-Loup
Oak: Aged 12-18 months in French oak barriques
ABV: 14.0%
Price: €25-35 at retail
Drinking window: 5-15 from vintage
First vintage: 1990
Vegan: Yes (no animal-derived fining)

Frequently asked about Domaine de l'Hortus Grande Cuvée Rouge

What does Domaine de l'Hortus Grande Cuvée Rouge taste like?

Blackberry, violet, leather, garrigue and graphite on the nose; black plum, dried herbs, tobacco and firm tannin on the palate. Full-bodied with a long finish.

When should I drink Domaine de l'Hortus Grande Cuvée Rouge?

Drink between 5 and 15 years from vintage. Younger bottles benefit from 90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles need careful handling.

What food pairs with Domaine de l'Hortus Grande Cuvée Rouge?

Slow-braised lamb shoulder is the canonical match; wild boar civet and aged Roquefort are equally strong pairings.

What grapes are in Domaine de l'Hortus Grande Cuvée Rouge?

A Mourvèdre-Syrah blend from two opposing-exposure parcels at the foot of the Hortus cliff. Both varietals lead, varying by vintage.

Taste it where it is made: tours and tastings in Languedoc

Montpellier Wine and Oyster Tour

Day trip3h 30m4.9 from 78 reviewsfrom €85

In a typically Mediterranean landscape, discover two of the region’s greatest treasures on this unforgettable half-day experience combining fine wines, fresh oysters, ...

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