Domaines Ott
Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards - 2022 WinnerDomaines Ott Clos Mireille Blanc
Côtes de Provence, France
Vintage:2023 (Pending)
2021 (Past) | 2022 (Current) |
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Overview
Domaines Ott was founded in 1896 by Alsatian engineer Marcel Ott. Today, the three estates are owned and managed by Champagne Louis Roederer, producing some of the world’s most prestigious wines. These wines are made at three distinctively different estates: Château Romassan (Bandol), Clos Mireille and Château de Selle (both Côtes de Provence).
Clos Mireille is the second estate acquired by the Ott family in 1936. Clos Mireille is in an exceptional location on the Mediterranean coast, in La Londe les Maures. This is idyllic Provence. Its ancient soil, a mixture of schist and limestone-free clay, benefits from a microclimate permeated by sea spray, which explains the inimitable character of the wines produced from the 124 acres at Clos Mireille. The parcels used in the Blanc slope down as far as the sea.
Winemaking
The parcels are leveled into espaliers to enable even tilling and planting. The vines are pruned and trained using the double cordon method. The grapes are all picked by hand and go through a stringent selective grape sorting followed by an extremely delicate pressing in pneumatic presses. Slow alcoholic and malolactic fermentation is followed by 4-6 months aging in large oak casks with regular stirring of the lees. Bottling is done the following spring and then the wine is stored in the cellars for eight to twelve months.
Tasting Notes
White-gold hue with silver tints. The expressive and luscious nose opens with acacia aromas followed by pomelo peel and then light notes of mango. The wine is clean on entry to the palate showing a remarkable and slightly mineral tension. Its aromatic structure is rich and complex ranging from notes of bergamot to wild peaches. Clos Mireille’s Mediterranean terroir comes through on the finish with a masterful salinity.
Harvest Notes
The 2023 harvest took place in three phases. During the dormant season, between October and March, there was not enough water to replenish the vines. The arrival of heavy rains in May and June was a gift from nature as the vineyards were flowering. July brought a sharp rise in temperatures, before a brief period of cool weather in early August. This brief respite was then followed by an unprecedented heatwave for this time of year. On August 16th, the teams were ready and waiting to start harvesting in the vineyards of Château de Selle and Clos Mireille. The harvest had to be carried out quickly and well to preserve the freshness of the grapes. The 2023 harvest was completed on September 28th at Château Romassan.
Food Pairing
The 2023 vintage of Clos Mireille White is remarkable for its clean, taut structure and extraordinary complexity carried by floral and citrus zest notes and a bright, vibrant fruit. Perfect for festive dining and convivial gatherings, it works just as well with a citrus-infused sea bass ceviche or roasted langoustines with tarragon and white butter sauce, as it does with some roasted farm poultry seasoned with Provençal herbs or a creamy white truffle risotto.
Technical Information
Varietals: 70% Sémillon, 30% Rolle