Domaine Jorel “La Garrigue” Maccabeo 2003

Domaine Jorel "La Garrigue" Maccabeo 2003 is a Rancio Sec — an unfortified, fully oxidized dry wine in Roussillon's oldest traditional style — made from 100% old-vine Macabeu grapes in the scorching 2003 vintage and aged about 10 years in old Rivesaltes casks before its October 2014 bottling. Bottled at 16% ABV in a 750mL bottle, it is intense, super-dry yet honeyed, earthy, and marked by the wild-herb garrigue character of the upper Agly Valley. Available to order online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.

• ABV: 16% (32 proof)
• Size: 750mL
• Vintage: 2003 — a scorching year; grapes began to shrivel on the vine
• Aging: ~10 years oxidative aging in old Rivesaltes casks ("sous-voile," Vin Jaune-style); bottled October 2014
• Origin: Maury, Roussillon, France (Côtes Catalanes IGP) — 100% old-vine Macabeu; Manuel Jorel's first Rancio Sec

Ten Years in Rivesaltes Casks

Manuel Jorel established his tiny domaine in 2000 on the western edge of the upper Agly Valley, farming about 7 hectares entirely by hand in what importer Haus Alpenz calls "organic in practice." When the 2003 harvest produced shriveled, ultra-concentrated Macabeu, Jorel first attempted a 28-day skin-contact orange wine — and when it began to oxidize, an old-timer advised him to rack it into old Rivesaltes casks in the corner of his second cellar, which doubled as a garage. The pun on "garrigue" (the wild scrub of the south) and "garage" gave the wine its name. A decade of slow oxidative élevage turned it into one of the most singular bottles in the Sotolon Selections portfolio. Explore more Domaine Jorel or browse the store's wine collection.

Tasting Notes

Oxidative and savory: intense, super-dry but honeyed, with earthy depth and pronounced garrigue essence — wild herbs, dried flowers, and a savory, almost maderised lift. The palate is dry and concentrated from the shriveled-vintage fruit, finishing long and saline rather than sweet.

How to Enjoy

Serve cool, around 14–16°C, in a white-wine glass — Rancio Sec opens up dramatically with air. Pair it with hard aged cheeses, charcuterie, mushroom dishes, or salted nuts; it also stands up to blue cheese and walnut desserts where a dry sherry would work.

Frequently Asked Questions

An unfortified, fully oxidized dry wine — aged oxidatively in cask, traditionally exposed to sun and air. It is Roussillon's oldest traditional wine style and falls under the Côtes Catalanes IGP.

100% old-vine Macabeu (Macabeo) from a small parcel in Maury, Roussillon — unfortified and fully oxidized.

After 28 days of skin contact, the wine was racked into old Rivesaltes casks for roughly 10 years of oxidative aging and bottled in October 2014.

A decade of oxidative patience in one bottle — order Domaine Jorel La Garrigue 2003 online at Del Mesa Liquor.