Domaine Félines Jourdan sits at the pinnacle of Picpoul de Pinet production, one of the most famous and highest quality estate in an appellation dominated by four co-operatives. Perched on the edge of the Thau Lagoon facing Sète, the vineyard benefits from cool marine breezes that temper the summer heat across three distinct terroirs of Pliocene clays and Cretaceous conglomerates.
Owned and run by Claude Jourdan, whose parents first bought the property in 1983, she manages the estate sustainably with eleven grape varieties including the appellation’s signature Picpoul. Claude continually pushes boundaries with quality at the forefront. This is encapsulated in the impressive lees-aged Cuvée Félines, which is part of a regional ‘Patience’ movement aimed at showing the ageing potential of Picpoul.
The Cuvée Felines parcel from the P.D.O. Picpoul de Pinet, is the closest to the Thau Lagoon offers exceptional grapes. This is a gentle small slope plain, nearby a bird sanctuary. The soil is limestone and clay. The Mediterranean climate is more marked here than anywhere in Languedoc for the summer drought, cool marine breezes and freshness of night mists make for perfect ripening conditions.
The Cuvée Felines grapes (100% Picpoul de Pinet) were harvested during the night, berries were directly pressed. The juice after fermentation was then aged on fine lees and stirred regularly during six months in thermo- regulated stainless still tanks.
The straw yellow colour expresses a very complex nose. The Cuvée Felines will take you on a beautiful aromatic burst of candied citrus fruits, honeysuckle, white peach and chamomile. On the palate, with freshness and vivacity, you will discover this sublime aromatic complexity. Rich and elegant.
