Oenology
Tasting a great wine: voyage into the Domaine de Leyre-Loup vintages.
Prepare yourself - A bottle of the Domaine de Leyre-Loup is the happy result of care and time. After many years of patient aging, it needs be opened early enough before drinking. While one hour is probably long enough for our younger vintages, you may find that older vintages often deserve a bit more or alternatively require a decanter.
Look - The colour of the Domaine de Leyre-Loup is a good indicator of what you may expect from the wine. Young and fruity vintages have a deep garnet-red colour, older vintages take on brick and then amber hues. The former colour is an indication of fruit and freshness, the latter of terroir and maturity.
After slowing rotating the glass, tears will form on the inside. The speed, or actually the slowness at which tears drop back down shows the smoothness the palate will feel. Wines from the Domaine de Leyre-Loup develop this feature from their very first aging.
Smell - Aromas combine in a bouquet that is a blend of plum and cherry, but also for some vintages black current and sometimes raspberry. These aromas dominate in the early years, but some Fleurie vintages also show hints of floral aromas such as peony (although the Fleurie appellation does not bear its name after this feature).
These fruity aromas will gently soften favouring the appearance of terroir aromas that is aromas that are characteristic of the Domaine de Leyre-Loup. With time, hints of granite, leather and forest aromas that are so typical of Burgundy will join roast and pepper aromas in a complex bouquet. This is particularly the case for the Morgon of the Domaine.
Taste - At first, the Domaine de Leyre-Loup wine has a soft and refreshing palate. It appears well balanced and is pleasant to the mouth. Flavours then progressively strengthen all around the palate, and the wine is mouthful and powerful. Tannins, although soft and round, rise to fully express themselves and bring a sensation of richness lasting well after the wine is drunk. The spicy finish makes the wine persistency last even longer… Definitely a good vintage, isn't it?
