Camí del Drac, Carignan Noir, Vielles Vignes, IGP Côtes Catalanes, France, 2022

Producer Profile

The wines of Terres Fidèles are designed to express the spirit of this extraordinary place – old-vine Grenache, Carignan, Malbec, Cinsault, Viognier and more.

All are authentically crafted, small-batch wines of the wilds. As Fergal Tynan MW, founder, explains: “Over the last two decades, we’ve been creating wines in the wilds of south-western France – embarking on adventures; exploring, discovering and rediscovering remarkable places and vineyard sites. From the foothills and valleys beneath the iconic Pyrenees, out through the gorges to the coastal areas of the Mediterranean, we’ve journeyed with our friends – exceptional growers who excel at their craft and have an inherent respect for the land that they and theirs are a part of. It is these people and places that inspire our winemaking.”

Viticulture

These old vines of 50-60 years of age are rooted in the hills of the north-west of Perpignan on clay and limestone terraces alongside the Têt River.

Winemaking

Grapes are hand-picked and transported to the cellar where a mix of whole bunch carbonic and traditional fermentation takes place. We treat Carignan in this very gentle way to promote its distinctive bright red fruit character. We then press the wine very gently and use the first pressed wine.

Tasting Note

Expressive, aromatic and rounded. Ripe black fruits combine with red fruit and a touch of savoury smokiness through to the finish.

Food Matching

Rich poultry dishes like duck or turkey, pork and bean stews.

Awards

The Wine Front 93 Points
I love Carignan, it’s such a distinctive grape variety, and when the vines have a bit of age, it really delivers. It’s also something of a bargain, as are many wines from Languedoc-Roussillon. Intense small black berries, herbs de Provence perfume, some charcoal here too. It’s medium-bodied, bright and cool in acidity, but dense in dark fruit flavour, tannin is tight and silty, and that combination of earthiness, floral and herb mouth-perfume is really so fetching. The finish is long and sooty, and gee it drinks well and offers so much interest, with something of a scrubby wild country feel, and some liquorice richness to close. I like this a lot. 93 Points, GW.
The Real Review 91 Points Silver
Rich ruby hue. Blood plum, garrigue herb and beef stock aromatics. Medium weight with bright plum fruits at the core then layers of mountain herbs, lavender flowers and meaty undertones adding to the complexity. Tannins are gravelly and firm but built to match the fruit generosity, so the line carries long to a drying finish. 91 Points, Silver, October 2024.