Domaine Marc Sorrel : Le Gréal 2023

Tasting characteristics and notes for Le Gréal 2023 from Domaine Marc Sorrel

Tasting notes

Color
The color reveals a deep, dark red hue, almost black, adorned with garnet reflections that subtly evolve towards brick nuances at the edge of the glass.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet reveals a beautiful complexity. It opens with intense aromas of black fruits such as wild blackberry, blackcurrant, and plum. With aeration, spicy notes of white and black pepper, licorice, and leather emerge, complemented by mineral touches of graphite, incense, and smoked meat, as well as delicate floral scents of iris and violet.

Palate
The attack is both firm and silky, introducing an ample and structured mid-palate. The tannins, though present, are perfectly ripe and well integrated. A lovely freshness balances the power of this wine, guiding it towards a remarkably persistent finish, marked by black fruit flavors and a minerality reminiscent of soot and graphite.

Food and wine pairing

This characterful red wine pairs wonderfully with rich and flavorful dishes. It will beautifully complement a hare à la royale, a beef fillet with black truffle, a rack of lamb in a crust, or fine cuts of beef grilled over a wood fire. It also pairs perfectly with hard, aged cheeses.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate the Le Gréal 2023 vintage, it is recommended to decant it well in advance while young and to serve it at a temperature of 61°F. This wine, built to last, will begin to fully reveal itself from 2027 onwards and can be cellared for drinking until around 2052.

Other characteristics

This wine has an alcohol content of between 14 and 15% vol.

The authentic expression of a red wine from Hermitage by Domaine Marc Sorrel

The estate

Founded in 1928 by Félix Sorrel in Tain-l'Hermitage, Domaine Marc Sorrel has established itself as an essential reference in the Rhône Valley, France. Initially focused on grape growing, the estate evolved over four generations towards estate bottling, with an unwavering commitment to quality. Since 2019, Guillaume Sorrel has been at the helm of the estate, perpetuating the family legacy with an approach combining respect for tradition and technical precision. This discreet estate stands out for its mastery of the terroirs and its commitment to more natural winegrowing practices.

The vineyard

Located on the prestigious hillside of the Hermitage appellation, the vineyard benefits from a Mediterranean microclimate with an ideal south-facing exposure. The vines used for this cuvée come from two distinct plots. The majority comes from the Le Méal lieu-dit, characterized by deep soils of clay-limestone rolled pebbles and vines planted in the late 1920s. The remainder comes from Les Greffieux, located lower on the slope, where soils of brown limestone and sandy clay host vines around thirty years old. The vines are worked mainly by hand or with the help of horses.

The vintage

The year 2023 benefited from very favorable climatic conditions, in line with the region's trend towards warmer seasons. The growing cycle unfolded under mild weather, giving the berries optimal concentration and full phenolic ripeness at harvest.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Le Gréal 2023 are hand-harvested and partially destemmed. Fermentation takes place in concrete or stainless steel vats, followed by a long maceration of thirty to forty days punctuated by pumping-over and a few punch-downs. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally. The wine is then aged for eighteen to twenty-four months in used oak barrels, in order to preserve the authenticity of the fruit. The wine is finally bottled without fining or filtration.

Grape varieties

90% Syrah
10% Marsanne and Roussanne