Domaine de Dernacueillette - Le Petit Derna 2021
Perched at an altitude of over 500 meters, in the heart of the Hautes Corbières, Domaine de Dernacueillette is a true enclave of freshness and nature. Founded and managed by Luc Charlier, a visionary winemaker and advocate of respectful viticulture, the estate cultivates vines rooted in schist, limestone, and sandstone soils, in a preserved environment where altitude and wind moderate the Mediterranean climate. These conditions give rise to wines of exceptional purity and drinkability, far from the excessive heat often associated with the south.
The 2021 Le Petit Derna vintage perfectly illustrates this philosophy. A blend of Grenache, Carignan, and Cinsault, this natural, unadulterated red wine is vinified using indigenous yeasts and no oenological additives, then aged in vats to preserve the fruit's expression. The 2021 vintage, cooler and later than previous vintages, favored slow maturation, resulting in balanced, refined wines with beautiful aromatic intensity. Le Petit Derna is a superb illustration of this: a pure, light, energetic, and incredibly digestible red.
In the glass, the clear ruby color announces a juicy and lively wine. The nose opens with a bouquet of crisp red fruits – cherry, raspberry, redcurrant – accompanied by floral notes (peony, violet) and a breath of dried herbs and white pepper. On the palate, the body is supple and chiseled, carried by a mineral freshness and a framework of great finesse. The finish, salivating and slightly spicy, prolongs the pleasure with flavors of garrigue and ripe fruits.
This wine exudes sincerity and freedom, making it the perfect companion for everyday meals. It should be served slightly chilled (around 15°C) and pairs wonderfully with fine charcuterie, grilled meats, roast chicken, rock fish, or even plant-based Mediterranean cuisine.
The 2021 Petit Derna captures the spirit of the estate: a lively, frank and joyful wine, which proves that at altitude and with respect, the south can rhyme with lightness, finesse and drinkability.
Grape varieties: Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault.
