#0416: Flamme Rouge 2021
・Wine Name: Flamme Rouge 2021
・Producer: Axel Domont
・Grape Varieties: Mondeuse, Pinot Noir, gamay
・Region: Les Marches, Savoie, France
Les Marches is a town located at the foot of Mt. Granier in Savoie, France. This charming town offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and is known for its picturesque setting. This town is also renowned for its vineyards and winemaking traditions. The vineyards in and around Les Marches produce a variety of wines, including crisp whites made from grapes like Jacquère and Roussette, as well as reds crafted from Mondeuse and Gamay grapes. Additionally, the town's proximity to Mt. Granier provides a stunning backdrop for the vineyards, adding to the charm and allure of the wine-growing region.
Why is Savoie combined with bicycle racing on the wine label?
Axel Domont
is a former professional road racing cyclist. Domont turned professional in 2013 with the AG2R La Mondiale cycling team and has since competed in numerous prestigious races, including the Tour de France.
Axel's connection to Savoie stems from his professional cycling career. Despite being born in Valence, his racing team was based in Savoie, which made the region a familiar and significant place for him.
After retiring from cycling in 2020, Axel transitioned to winemaking and chose Savoie as the location for his venture. Domaine Des Cotes Rousses serves as a pivotal space where Axel initially launched his winemaking venture. Nicolas and Marielle, the owners of Domaine Des Cotes Rousses, provided Axel with the resources and support to kickstart his winemaking career.
In terms of cellar and winemaking practices, Axel initially used a corner of Domaine de Cote Rousse for his first vintage in 2020. Subsequently, he began fermenting his wines in his own cellar acquired in 2021.
Axel owns around 2ha of his own vineyards and buys around the same amount from winegrower friends. The grape varieties worked are Jacquere, Roussette, Mondeuse, Gamay and Pinot noir. In spring 2023 he was also able to get hold of an ancient vineyard at an altitude of almost 700m on pure limestone.
The distinctive design of his labels was created by a friend living in Lyon, based on a request for a single-stroke design.
Flamme Rouge
is a blend of Mondeuse, Pinot Noir, and Gamay grapes. The wine is crafted from grapes harvested from vines planted in 1990, situated at an elevation of 350 meters with east-facing clay and loamy soils. It undergoes a short maceration process and is aged in 600L wooden barrels and amphorae.
Tasting note
On the nose, fresh and pure nose of sour cherry, wild strawberry, pomegranate and flint, and has slightly yeasty nuances at first, but disappeared after some aeration.
On the palate, it is dry, medium bodied with a little racy acidity and refined tannins, characterized by its vibrant red fruit flavors.
Lingering aftertaste of red fruit and a touch of earthiness.
Juicy and rustic. A curious red wine with low alcohol content, yet a firm body and texture. Better to serve lightly chilled.