In the glass
Aroma: white peach, honeysuckle, fennel, lees
Palate: pear, lemon, almond, saline
Biodynamic white blend named for the umbel flowers (fennel, carrots) of the vineyards and Rimbaud's 'Vowels'; Roussanne-led Languedoc white with mineral depth.
What it pairs with
-
Mediterranean sea bream
Roussanne's stone-fruit weight and the wine's salt finish match white fish. -
Roast chicken with fennel
Vermentino's fennel-leaning aromatics echo the dish. -
Aged Comte cheese
Chardonnay-Roussanne weight and almond palate meet hard-cheese nuttiness.
History
Frissons d'Ombelles is the white wine of Domaine de la Marfee, named for the umbel flowers of the surrounding garrigue and Arthur Rimbaud's poem 'Vowels' which associates E with white and the shivers of umbels. Biodynamic field blend matured separately by variety before assemblage.
- 2003 — First vintage of Frissons d'Ombelles
- 2005 — Biodynamic conversion underway
Facts
- Producer
- Domaine de la Marfee
- Grapes
- Roussanne (60%), Chardonnay (20%), Vermentino (20%)
- Classification
- IGP Pays de l'Herault
- Oak
- 12 months in demi-muids varieties kept separate, then 4 months in vat after blending
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 25-38 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3-10 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2003
- Biodynamic
- Biodynamic Practicing
- Organic
- ECOCERT
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Frissons d'Ombelles
What does Marfee Frissons d'Ombelles taste like?
White peach, honeysuckle, fennel and lees on the nose; pear, lemon, almond and saline on the palate. Medium-bodied with medium acidity and a long finish.
When should I drink Marfee Frissons d'Ombelles?
Drink between 3 and 10 years from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 20 minutes in carafe; the wine reaches its peak at 5-7 years.
What grapes are in Frissons d'Ombelles?
Roussanne (60 percent), Chardonnay (20 percent) and Vermentino (20 percent). Each variety vinified separately for 12 months in demi-muids before assemblage.
What food pairs with Marfee Frissons d'Ombelles?
Mediterranean sea bream is the canonical pairing; Roussanne's stone-fruit weight and the wine's salt finish match white fish. Roast chicken with fennel and aged Comte are equally strong matches.