Wines Saint-Chinian Domaine S Trinités - Le Portail - 2022

Viniou Reviews

The Domaine S Trinités Cuvée Le Portail 2022 is a red wine expressing all the character of the Saint-Chinian AOC in Languedoc. Crafted from a blend typical of the region—likely featuring Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre—the wine is the result of meticulous vineyard management and thoughtful vinification. The 2022 vintage in Languedoc benefited from a warm, dry summer, yielding concentrated fruit and silky tannins. The grapes are grown on the rugged hillsides of Saint-Chinian, with soils rich in schist and limestone, imparting both minerality and freshness to the final wine. The vinification is traditional, with gentle extraction to preserve the aromatic complexity and balance of the blend, followed by maturation in either stainless steel or neutral oak to allow the pure fruit character to shine.

Saint-Chinian lies in the western reaches of the Languedoc, a region famed for its Mediterranean climate characterised by hot, dry summers and cooling winds called the Tramontane, which help maintain acidity in the grapes. The varied soils and elevations of the appellation, especially the schist-rich north, give the wines distinguishing aromas of garrigue, dried herbs, and black fruit. Historically, the area has been a stronghold of qualitative viticulture since Roman times, recently gaining international acclaim for its authentic expression of southern French terroir.

The robust yet refined style of this Saint-Chinian red allows for versatile food pairings. For a classic match, try it with regional cassoulet—a hearty dish of white beans and confit duck, or grilled lamb cutlets adorned with rosemary and thyme. Mediterranean vegetable gratins, roast aubergine with garlic, or hard sheep’s cheeses like Ossau-Iraty will also complement the wine's spicy, herby profile.

For optimum enjoyment, serve this wine at 16-18°C to highlight its complexity and structure. Decanting half an hour before serving will help release its aromatics, especially if enjoyed in its youth. This wine may be savoured now for its vibrant fruit, but has the structure to age gracefully for another three to five years in a proper cellar.