Gardins Rouge 'On Sen Fish'

Domaine Gardies “On s’en Fish!” 2024 - Côtes Catalanes, France
$25  Soul Wine Price $21.25

This wine was in last month’s wine club but we thought it deserved a wider audience. Below is Anders’ write up.

Jean Gardies took over his family estate in the early 90’s and began converting it to organic and biodynamic practices. Now his 30 hectares of vines are as well run as any in France and Jean Gardies is considered to be one of the most accomplished winemakers in the Roussillon with his top cuveés regularly appearing on Michelin starred restaurants’ wine lists. 

The Côtes Catalanes is an important sub-appellation within the Roussillon. Tucked up against the foothills of the Pyrenees close to the Mediterranean the garrigue covered hills of the area are hot and dry with thin, poor soil. Deep-rooted vines are demanded here and the grapes tend to develop concentrated flavors. Fortunately, breezes from the Mediterranean refresh the vineyards during the day and at night winds off the Pyrenees cool them ensuring a balancing acidity. 

“On s’en Fish” is, apparently, a play on words sounding like “we don’t care” in French. This is Gardies’s easy drinking, every day, multi-purpose red. It is a blend of Cinsault (85%) and Carignan (15%). The grapes are hand-harvested and undergo a 10 day maceration in concrete tanks and ferment with indigenous yeasts. It is matured for 8 months on lees, also in concrete tanks. The wine has the characteristic freshness that Gardies is known for with dark cherry fruit, notes of violet and clove and a peppery finish. Drink with a muffuletta sandwich or pissaladière, the french caramelized onion, olive and anchovy pizza. (Anders)