Type: Red Wine
Country: France
Code: HORN005
Gold medal winner in the best value category of the Anivan de France Wine Awards, this is a delicious, mouthfilling, juicy French Malbec. A little softer and yet more approachable Malbec from this hidden corner of France
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Xavier Roger

Xavier Roger’s roots were firmly in the vineyards of Sancerre in the Loire Valley. Son of Jean-Max Roger whose 34ha domaine in the village of Bué, just south-west of town of Sancerre, is renowned for its production of high quality, Sancerre, Menetou-Salon and Pouilly Fumé. However three is a crowd, and with his brothers Thibault and Etienne working at the family domaine, Xavier set out on his own and made his own way.

 

After attending winemaking school in Burgundy followed by three years of viticulture training at the agronomy school in Montpelier, Xavier spent the 1990’s gaining international winemaking experience in the US, New Zealand and Germany before returning to France to work in Bordeaux.

 

After three years running  a 60ha estate in Nimes, Xavier joined Alain Grignon who had set up LGI in 1999, along with Thierry Leduc and Englishman Mark Lynton, to run the entire winemaking operation as well as developing relationships with some of the finest growers in the region. It is these close relationships which puts Xavier ahead of all others in securing the best parcels of grapes in the region.

 

In 2013 Alain Grignon retired and Xavier took over the general management of the company, whilst maintaining full control of the winemaking process and grower relationships.

 

Mastering the nuances of Sothern French varietals and combining traditional as well as innovative winemaking techniques, Xavier Roger wines are a superb example of the quality that is now being produced in the South of France.

 

Deep dark red. Beautiful flavours of dark fruits, amplified with hints of coffee, cocoa and subtle rosemary. Wonderfully harmonic with a round and juicy mouthfeel.
Try alongside roast beef with thyme and fennel crust.
Part of the harvest goes through a warm thermovinification in order to support the fruity aromas. The majority of the grapes are destemmed and sent to maceration for about ten weeks. This long process is ideal to extract the character of the variety and to get a good structure with supple tannins. In addition the lengthy maceration in contact with the skins adds colour gain. The wine has a minor filtration to clear fine lees, with bottling in the spring after the harvest.

Gold medal in the 'best value' category of the Anivan de France Wine Awards

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