The Oratory Saint Jean D'aurelhian - Franck Soulayrol - Magnum 2023
The Oratory Saint Jean d’Aureilhan is one of the most confidential and promising young estates in Languedoc. Located in Liausson, just south of Lake Salagou, Franck Soulayrol has been producing since 2021 a red cuvée already highly followed by lovers of great wines from the South. The estate covers only about six hectares, which explains the natural rarity of the bottles and the speed with which they disappear from allocations. Coming from a family of winemakers and close to the Vaillé galaxy of La Grange des Pères, Franck Soulayrol is part of a lineage of rigor, patience, and depth. The Salagou terroir, marked by schists, limestones, marls, and molasses, gives the wine an identity that is at once sunny, mineral, and unique. This Magnum 2023 further accentuates the exclusive character of the cuvée, with a format ideal for aging and grand tables. It is a rare, ambitious, and already sought-after bottle, confirming the emergence of a new strong signature from Languedoc.
The cuvée The Oratory Saint Jean d’Aureilhan Magnum 2023 is based on a blend of Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Sangiovese. Mourvèdre brings structure, depth, and that dark, Mediterranean, and spicy dimension that gives the wine its seriousness. Syrah enhances notes of black fruits, violet, pepper, and licorice, while contributing to the silky texture of the mouthfeel. Sangiovese, more unexpected in this Languedoc landscape, adds a touch of freshness, tension, and tangy elegance. The vines cultivated around Lake Salagou benefit from a warm, bright, and ventilated environment, with complex soils that contribute to the wine's balance. The 2023 vintage offers a dense, ripe, and harmonious expression without losing the freshness that marks the finest reds of this area. The magnum format will allow the wine to evolve more slowly, with a gradual integration of tannins, fruit, and aging.
The Oratory Saint Jean d’Aureilhan Magnum 2023 reveals a deep, dark, and shiny robe, announcing a red of beautiful concentration. The nose opens on blackberry, blackcurrant, black cherry, and plum, with nuances of violet, pepper, garrigue, licorice, and warm stone. The palate is ample, velvety, and intense, supported by a generous but well-controlled body. The tannins are present, fine, and structuring, giving the wine real aging potential. The finish prolongs the black fruits, spices, and a mineral sensation that recalls the rocky and volcanic landscapes of Salagou. This magnum deserves a few years in the cellar but can already be appreciated after a good aeration on a generous table. It will ideally accompany a rack of lamb, a matured rib steak, roasted pigeon, Languedoc stew, lamb tagine, game birds, or a matured cheese.
Grape varieties: Mourvèdre, Syrah, Sangiovese
