Who makes it
Domaine de Mayrac farms 42 hectares of vineyards in Haute Vallée de l'Aude. The estate's named range is red, with Enigma, Le Fantasque and Esprit Nature covering pure Syrah, Arinarnoa, and Syrah and Cot compositions.
The wines differ in grape, ageing capacity and production method. Enigma comes from the estate's oldest vines. Le Fantasque is built around Arinarnoa, while Esprit Nature is made without preservatives or additives.
Where it grows
The vineyards lie at Couiza in Haute Vallée de l'Aude, south of the area covered by the Limoux AOP. The place is part of the wines' geographic address, with the estate working under the Haute Vallée de l'Aude name outside the Limoux perimeter.
How it is made
The cellar
Domaine de Mayrac has practiced organic agriculture continuously since 1987. The cellar work on Esprit Nature uses no preservatives or additives, with the stated aim of optimizing tannin and anthocyanin concentration. Tannin is felt as grip in red wine, while anthocyanins are pigments that contribute to its colour.
What they make
Enigma, Le Fantasque and Esprit Nature form the named red range. Enigma is the Syrah cuvée. Le Fantasque is made from 100% Arinarnoa and has a stated ageing window of 5 to 10 years. Esprit Nature contains 65% Syrah and 35% Cot.
The bottles occupy different roles through their grape composition. Enigma is the longer ageing Syrah wine, Le Fantasque brings Arinarnoa into focus, and Esprit Nature is the two grape cuvée made without preservatives or additives.