Domaine Melody

Organic conversion is well underway at this young domaine, created in 2010 when Denis Larivière joined forces with Marlène Durand and Marc Romak. The first vintage was produced in a garage, but since then, the wines have been made in a magnificent, imposing new cuverie on the gravelly flatlands of Les Sept Chemins, not far from Beaumont Monteux, where there seems to be a host of exciting domaines.

The 16 hectares of vines span over three main types of soil. 80% of the holdings are in Les Chassis where the soil is a mix of clay and limestone with a significant amount of large stones. Here is where most of the Syrah is planted. Their Marsanne and Roussanne vines are located in Larnage, where the soil is lighter. The third area is in le Château de Larnage, where there is stony white soil composed of Kaolin which should be perfect for the recently planted Roussanne (2011).

The wines are vinified in stainless steel and aged in oak barrels (with the exception of the fruity, moreish Friandise, raised in tank). There is a vibrating sorting table in the cuverie to discard any unwanted grapes and material from the press, and the juice is moved around in péristaltique pumps, which is much gentler on the wine and helps to maintain finer tannins.