Domaine du Meteore 'Leonides' Rouge, Faugeres, Languedoc-Roussillon, France 2020

Named after the two hundred metre-wide meteorite crater which lies at the heart of the domaine, Domaine du Météore sits in the village of Cabrerolles, at over three hundred metres of altitude in the foothills of the Haut-Languedoc mountains.

• Winemaker: Simon Frech
• Farming: Organic, Biodynamic
• Variety: Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault
• Terroir:  Rocky Schist
• Vinification: The grapes are carefully de-stemmed, then soaked for four weeks to create a deep redness, and fermented in stainless steel.
• Aging: The wine is matured for a full 28 months
• Tasting Note: A beautiful ruby hue matched by the brightness of blackcurrant, thyme flower and a hint of balsamic. Fresh and silky in the mouth, you’ll find all the fruitiness and balance here that you’d expect of its Faugères terroir.

From our May 2024 Explore Like A Somm Club:

Domaine du Météore Léonides, Faugères, Languedoc-Roussillon, France 2020
If you had to guess what this winery has in common with outer space, look no further than its name! Domaine du Météore is located in the small but significant wine-producing commune of Faugères, in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the south of France. The winery is named after the very small depression to which its vineyard is planted, an estimated 10,000 year old crater that measures only 656 feet across and 98 feet deep. It is one of only three known craters in the world that is less than 984 feet in diameter, as most craters this small were lost to erosion over the centuries, and its exact origin still remains a mystery.  The wine itself is named for the Leonids meteor showers, which are known for producing some of the most spectacular meteor storms in history, visible in the Leo constellation. These storms happen every 33 years  when the Earth passes through particularly dense debris trails left by the Comet Tempel–Tuttle. During a storm, hundreds to thousands of meteors can be seen per hour, creating a mesmerizing display. Composed of blueschist and flecks of magnetic rock and microdiamonds from the meteor's impact, the site is now planted to the traditional grapes of the region: Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre (G-S-M!). 
The winery is owned by Paul Jenkins, Paul Jarman, Vinkey & Andrew Allen, a group of eager wine enthusiasts from London and San Francisco. Under the deft hand of French winemaker Simon Frech, Domaine du Météore produces wines that are very much a reflection of their terroir. Léonides is a classic GSM blend that leads fruit-first with a nose of blackcurrant, lavender and blackberry liqueur thanks to a long maceration, and slow, stainless steel fermentation and aging. The minerality on this wine is as impactful as the meteorite itself, and the tannins are silky and satisfying. The palate introduces flavors of freshly-picked thyme and young balsamic, making a juicy and complex wine that pairs well alongside almost anything! (I like to match the heartiness of the wine with braised or grilled meats.) —Simi Grewal, May 2024