Clos du Rouge Gorge Latour-de-France, Roussillon
Cyril Fhal crafts some of the most elegant and age-worthy wines in the Roussillon — old-vine Carignan, Grenache and Syrah from schist and granite, farmed organically and bottled with minimal intervention.
The Estate
A small, family-run domaine in the northern Roussillon, where the foothills of the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean.
Clos du Rouge Gorge is located in Latour-de-France, a village in the Agly Valley surrounded by rugged, windswept vineyards. The name references the robin redbreast — the rouge gorge — that frequents the estate's old vines.
Cyril Fhal tends roughly 15 hectares of organically farmed vineyards, with parcels planted on schist and granite soils at varying elevations. The domaine is known for its commitment to old-vine Carignan, alongside Grenache Noir, Grenache Gris, Syrah, and Macabeu.
In the Cellar
Whole-cluster or destemmed depending on vintage and cuvée, native fermentation, and a light touch with sulphites.
Fhal's reds are marked by a rare combination of southern warmth and northern precision — deep fruit, fine tannins, and a spine of schist minerality that carries through to a long finish. The whites, made from Grenache Gris and Macabeu, are textured, saline, and quietly complex.
Élevage is typically in old barrels or demi-muids, with minimal racking and no fining or filtration. Sulphur is used sparingly, if at all — usually just a micro-dose at bottling.
Technical Profile
~15 ha
Total vineyard area
20–40 hl/ha
Low yields
30–100+ yrs
Vine age (Carignan oldest)
Hand
Harvest method
Schist / Granite
Primary soils
0–2 g/hl
Added SO₂
Viticulture
- Farming Certified organic
- Soils Black schist, granite, gneiss
- Pruning Manual; gobelet and cordon
- Yields 20–40 hl/ha
- Harvest By hand; multiple passes for optimal ripeness
- Ploughing Occasional; cover crops encouraged
Cellar Protocol
- Yeast Indigenous / native only
- Maceration Whole cluster or destemmed (cuvée dependent)
- Vessels Old barrels, demi-muids, stainless steel
- Pressing Traditional basket or pneumatic
- Fining None
- Filtration None
- Sulphites 0–2 g/hl; often zero-added
Agly
The river valley that defines the northern Roussillon
Pyrenees
Mountain foothills; elevation 100–350m
Schist
Black schist terraces; old Carignan stronghold
Tramontane
Dry north wind; natural mildew defence
Key Cuvées
Technical Data per ReleaseClos du Rouge Gorge Rouge
The flagship. Old-vine Carignan from schist soils, with touches of Grenache and Syrah. Whole-cluster or partial destemming depending on vintage. Aged 12–18 months in old barrels. Deep, savoury, with fine tannins and a long, mineral finish.
Jeunes Vignes
From younger parcels (20–40 years), though still old by most standards. Lighter, more immediate than the flagship. Destemmed, short maceration. Fresh red fruit, spice, and schist grip. A perfect introduction to Fhal's style.
Vieilles Vignes
From the oldest Carignan vines on the estate — 80 to 100+ years. Whole-cluster fermentation, long maceration. Aged in demi-muids. Profound depth, wild herb notes, and a tannic structure built for ageing. The most serious wine in the range.
Clos du Rouge Gorge Blanc
Direct-press white from old Grenache Gris and Macabeu vines. Aged on lees in old barrels with minimal stirring. Textured, saline, and quietly complex — stone fruit, almond, and a long, mineral close. No malolactic in most vintages.
Syrah / Grenache
Occasional cuvée depending on vintage. Syrah-led, with Grenache providing flesh. Destemmed, medium maceration. Aged in barrel. Pepper, black olive, and dark fruit — more northern in character than the Carignan-based wines.
Contact & Visits
Clos du Rouge Gorge
1 Rue du Clos
66720 Latour-de-France
France
Region
Agly Valley, Northern Roussillon
Get in Touch
Winemaker
Cyril Fhal
Phone
+33 4 68 64 29 07Website
closdurougegorge.frCave & Tastings
Visits by appointment. The cellar is in the village of Latour-de-France, at the edge of the Agly Valley. Tastings are informal and usually conducted by Cyril himself — best to email ahead, especially during harvest (August–September).
Distribution
Available through natural wine importers across Europe and select markets in the US, UK, and Australia.