Tautavel domaine making Viognier, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre wines, plus Maury and oak aged Rivesaltes.
The producer
Domaine Fontanel began in Tautavel in 1989, when Pierre and Marie-Claude Fontaneil brought their two families together. The domaine's range covers Côtes Catalanes, Côtes du Roussillon, Maury and Rivesaltes, with Viognier, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre among the named grapes. Initium Blanc is 100% Viognier, Cistes is an equal Grenache and Syrah blend, and Prieuré combines Syrah and Mourvèdre. Elodie and Matthieu Collet became owners in 2017, while Pierre stayed beside them during the handover.
Known for
Tautavel reds and fortified wines
Notable facts
Domaine Fontanel was established in 1989 by Pierre and Marie-Claude Fontaneil through a union of their two families.
The domaine is in Tautavel, in the foothills of the Corbières mountains in northern Catalonia.
Yields are well below 30 hectolitres per hectare.
Prieuré blends Syrah and Mourvèdre.
The story
A Guided Handover
In 2017, vintners Elodie and Matthieu Collet became Domaine Fontanel's new owners. Pierre Fontaneil stayed at their side as guide during the transition. The change followed the domaine's creation in 1989 by Pierre and Marie-Claude through the union of their two families. Elodie and Matthieu took over the property while Pierre remained involved in the handover, linking the new ownership to the Fontaneil family beginning in Tautavel.
From the atlas
Domaine Fontanel
A Tautavel domaine founded by Pierre and Marie-Claude Fontaneil, with wines spanning Côtes Catalanes, Côtes du Roussillon, Maury and Rivesaltes.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Location
Tautavel, in the foothills of the Corbières mountains in northern Catalonia.
Appellations
Côtes Catalanes, Côtes du Roussillon, Maury and Rivesaltes.
Grapes
Viognier, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.
Named wines
Initium Blanc, Cistes, Prieuré and Rivesaltes Ambré.
Yield
Below 30 hectolitres per hectare.
The Producer
Pierre and Marie-Claude Fontaneil created Domaine Fontanel in 1989 through a union of their two families. Elodie and Matthieu Collet now own the domaine, with Pierre remaining as their guide. Its wines move across Côtes Catalanes, Côtes du Roussillon, Maury and Rivesaltes, from a Viognier white to still reds and a fortified wine.
Place
Tautavel lies in the foothills of the Corbières mountains in northern Catalonia. The appellation names on the bottles divide the range by wine type and origin. Initium Blanc is a Côtes Catalanes wine made from Viognier. Cistes and Prieuré are Côtes du Roussillon reds, while Rivesaltes Ambré is a fortified wine. Maury also belongs to the domaine's portfolio.
Wines
Initium Blanc is 100% Viognier from Côtes Catalanes, with apricot and peach aromas and freshness.
Cistes 2017 is an equal blend of Grenache and Syrah. Its nose carries thyme, liquorice, vanilla and cocoa; the palate is warm and powerful, ending on a mineral note.
Prieuré 2017 blends Syrah and Mourvèdre. It is deep, luminous garnet, with forest floor aromatics, silky integrated tannins and persistent length. Its drinking window runs from now through the next 15 years.
Rivesaltes Ambré is a fortified wine aged for 7 years in oak, bringing orange peel and nut aromas.
Final Word
Domaine Fontanel's bottles move from a Viognier white through Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre reds to oak aged Rivesaltes Ambré, all rooted in Tautavel.