It’s a great feeling to come away from a big wine fair having discovered an outstanding new producer. Jon and Liam met brothers Guilhem & Hugo Fraysee at Wine Paris, who hail from a long-standing family of winemakers in the Languedoc. Their wines made an immediate impression. Fine and focused, imbued with striking energy. The brothers shared an unassuming confidence in their creations - we’re delighted that we were able to snap them up.
In 2020, they took over the 10 hectares of vines between Pic St Loup and the Mediterranean; an area renowned for its rich winemaking heritage and diverse garrigue terroirs. The climate is characterised by warm summers and mild winters, with over 300 days of sunshine annually. This, combined with diverse soil types such as schist, limestone, and alluvial sand, provides an ideal environment for viticulture. Vineyards are spread over a variety of different landforms, soils and micro-climates. This diversity is an inexhaustible source of creativity for them and by focusing on the natural expression of their grapes, they produce wines that are both reflective of their environment and respectful of nature.
From the vineyard to the cellar, there’s an evident intelligence applied, with the end goal of allowing the terroirs to express themselves as naturally as possible.
Available Wines
From young Grenache Gris plot on the slopes, the Canopé cuvée dominates the rest of the vineyard and offers a breath-taking view over the estate. In spring, when the vegetation grows again, you can see a green mass forming at the top of the plots, similar to the canopy of tropical forests.
TN: Inviting aromas of delicate wild strawberry and redcurrants, along with a subtle floral note. These follow on the palate with refreshing acidity and a hint of garrigue herbs. Light and elegant, this is incredibly drinkable.
Le Pont des Anglais is a unique parcel where they grow Sauvignon Blanc in sandy-clay soils. This area, situated at the bottom of the slope, has a great deal of minerality. This cuvée bridges the gap with a parcel of Colombard and Vermentino planted in the tufa soils of the Lez valley. This trio of grape varieties gives the wine liveliness and freshness.
TN: This is a blend of Sauvignon, Rolle, Colombard - all vinified in stainless steel. It is lively and fresh with well judged, balanced acidity. Granny Smith apples and crunchy nectarines are followed by flinty minerality on the finish.
This cuvée, made from Grenache grapes, takes its name from the iron-rich red soils of Saint Christol, reminiscent of the surface of the planet Mars. During the summer of 2019, the highest temperature in France was reached in the vines (46°C), a symbol of the singularity of this parcel. The challenge was to show that this fiery terroir could produce a fine wine with exceptional freshness.
TN: Sun-warmed berries and wild herbs mingle in this vibrant red. M.A.R.S. delivers juicy plum and blackberry flavours, with bramble a touch of pepper spice. The finish is smooth and easy. Perfect for casual evenings and good company.
Sourced from an old parcel of Colombard nestled in the heart of the garrigue, this vineyard becomes a seasonal haven for the "African Hunter," a migratory bird from West Africa. This colourful, lively and impetuous bird symbolises the freedom they’ve taken in creating an atypical, timeless Mediterranean white wine. 30% of it is fermented entirely in barrels, before being blended with the rest in vats after maturing for 8 months.
TN: This opens with confit lemon and ripe stone fruit mingled with subtle white pepper spice. There’s a textural richness to this that adds complexity but it finishes with the same defined, saline minerality from the rocky soil.
This Cinsault/Syrah blend symbolises the dedication to producing wines with respect for both vine and nature. The name (road to Damascus) reflects their continuing journey to capture the purest expression of their terroir, combining experience and sensitivity at each stage of the winemaking process.
TN: This really showcases the energy of syrah and cinsault, with a vibrant nose of ripe red and dark fruits, blackberries and blackcurrants. There’s a meaty/gaminess that starts to come through on the palate, along with earthy, well integrated tannin. The cinsault adds finesse and a juicy, approachable finish.
This is a red blend that exemplifies the harmony between three distinct terroirs. The Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache vines are from three different soils: limestone marl, siliceous pebbles and gravel. It is matured for 12 months in barrel and 6 months in stainless steel after that, and the result is a wine that showcases both the complexity and complementary nature of these southern French grapes.
TN: This opens with an appealing nose of ripe black cherry and plum with wild raspberry. On the palate there is delicate balance between richness and freshness, along with more obvious complexity - smoky oak, black pepper spice and garrigue, culminating in a long, balanced, savoury finish. Terroir driven and accomplished.
