ABOUT: In 2008 Damien Bonnet took over the family farm in the Gaillac AOC and got serious about making wines from organic grapes with a low intervention ethos. The Gaillac AOC surrounds the town of Gaillac near Toulouse in Southwest France, which historically was a region most know for sparkling wine, and now thanks to Damien, thought provoking still wines of substance. The 14 hectares of vines face south on clay-limestone soils; the team prune the vines using the Poussard method which is thought to lessen the potential for the dreaded vine disease Esca. Much more than just a vineyard, the farm is also home to chickpeas, lentils, einkorn (amazing ancient grain), alfalfa, malting barley, wheat and sunflowers. Wines are made using indigenous yeasts, low amounts of sulfur and aged in concrete, wood, and clay. The wines are excellent and have a very authentic character; we’re charmed. TASTE: The Domaine de Brin Gaillac Anthocyanes 2021 is made of 70% Braucol (also known as Fer, well colored, relatively tannic, rustic, similarities to Cab Franc) and 30% Syrah. A lithe, damp soil sort of wine, aromas and flavors of blackberries and raspberries, medium bodied with an alcohol level of 11.5%. Which is a point of interest, the lightness contrasts nicely with its ruddiness. And the tannins lead me to think it will develop well for another ten years, would be interesting to see how wild it can get. PAIR: Braised cabbage with apples and onions, bucatini with roasted tomatoes and zucchini, burger and friesss, eggplant rollatini, and a grilled cheese with chili cheese fritos.
