Dom. de L’Estoile

An “estoile” is a heavenly body in the shape of a star with 6 wave-like rays projecting from its center.  It is also the inspiration for Dom. de L’Estoile, the house brand of AP Imports.  We currently offer high-quality yet affordable Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wine sourced from the finest Old World producers.

Overview: Sourced from the finest vineyards in the south of France, this wine is inspired by a certain Petit Aviator whose author wrote near the beautiful calenques of the Provence region of France.  As an homage to the starry nights of this area, we invite you to enjoy the hand-crafted varietals of Dom. de l’Estoile!

Appellation: IGP Méditerranée

Varietal Composition: Cabernet, Syrah, Cinsault, and Grenache; this cuvée is produced using meticulously selected wines. The perfecting touches of maturing and blending are carried out in the cellars.

Vinification: This is a traditional winery using time-honored methods.  The estate was upgraded within the past few years and adopted the latest winemaking techniques while retaining its soul.

Alcohol Content: 13%

Serving Temperature: 8-10°C

Cellaring Potential: 1-2 years

Tasting Notes: Pale salmon pink in color. Nose has notes of white flowers that then develop into white peach skin. The palate expresses the velvety texture of citrus peel and the zestiness of an essential oil. Not mandarin, not lemon, not orange, more like kumquat. There’s something astringent, green, tight and fresh.

Food Pairings: Ideal as an aperitif!

2017 Reviews: “Limpid peach skin. Lively red berry and floral scents and flavors; a hint of orange zest builds with air. Lithe and focused, carrying no excess fat. The dry, tight finish leaves a hint of spicy white pepper behind.Limpid peach skin. Lively red berry and floral scents and flavors; a hint of orange zest builds with air. Lithe and focused, carrying no excess fat. The dry, tight finish leaves a hint of spicy white pepper behind.” – 88pts, Vinous

Location: The southern French appellation “Cotes de Gascogne” is privileged for viticulture.  Mosaics that still illustrate wine growing were found at the excavation of the ancient villa “Seviac” that traces back to the 4th century.  Chilly breezes from the western Atlantic Ocean are responsible for the beautiful fruity aromas.

Vinification: The goal of the winemaking process is to respect the integrity of the fruit and to preserve its delicate perfumes.  The grapes first undergo 6 hours of skin-contact in order to extract as much fruit aromas as possible.  After a very gentle pressing, the must is meticulously cold settled.  The fermentation is done at cold temperatures.

Aging: 3 months on the lees to lend smoothness to the wine.

Tasting Notes: Pale yellow color.  The nose is complex with aromas of tropical fruit and flowers, some elder and herbal notes.  On the palate, it is rich and simultaneously elegant with a long finish.

Food Pairing: Serve chilled with salads, marinated vegetables, curries, seafood

Appellation: IGP Pays d’Oc

Terroir: This region benefits from the Mediterranean climate. With its coastline bordering the region in the South, it provides hot and dry summers for a perfect maturity. On the other side, the Black Mountain brings enough humidity and cool temperatures for the vineyards to produce grapes packed with fruity aromas. The terroir effect is very noticeable in this region due to the great variety of winegrowing areas that create an expression of the grape varieties that is unique.

Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay.  The Chardonnay grape can be found around the world due to its strong capacity to adapt. This chameleon grape varietal is particularly well adapted to the dry Mediterranean climate of the southern Languedoc wine region. Here, the wines crafted from Chardonnay are bolder and more expressive, with ripe flavors of stone fruit and white flowers.

Vinification: The first step in crafting this Chardonnay is picking the grapes at perfect maturity to create a balanced white wine.  The pressing is very gentle in a pneumatic press with an extraction of the premium juices only.  The fermentation is driven in stainless steel vats with temperature control.  Only 10% of the wine is aged under the influence of French oak, as we wanted to craft a smooth easy drinking Chardonnay.  The wine is aged on its fine lees during 3 months before bottling.

Tasting Notes: Bright, pale gold color.  Fresh aromas of peach and pear, with slight notes of white blossom and honeysuckle.  A bunch of fresh stone fruits on the palate, with a crisp and mineral-driven texture.  Enjoy this wine chilled, with hummus & veggie dippers, creamy light cheeses, poultry, and seafood.

Location: This wine comes from a land full of history.  It is produced in the south of France, Languedoc Roussillon-over 4 departments along the Mediterranean coast.  Here, the northern mountains of the Pyrenees and the Cevennes embrace the vineyards of the Pays d’Oc like an amphitheater.  Thanks to a heritage of over 2,600 years of winemaking and a patchwork of climates, terroirs, and soils, this region is home to a variety of extraordinary wines.  This particular Pinot Noir comes form the Union des Caves de Cébazan, located in the Languedoc Roussillon region in the south of France.  With over 1,500 hectares of various grape varietals and winemaking know-how, it offers uniquely flavored varietal wines, like this delicious Pinot Noir.

Vinification: Optimal ripeness is essential to a good Pinot Noir as it brings out the full aromatic potential.  When crafting this wine, the winemakers keep the sugar content relatively low to preserve the varietal’s elegant style.  To do so, a part of the crop is harvested quite early in the season, before the grapes are completely matured.  They are then fermented at low temperatures to preserve the fruity aromas.  The other fully ripened portion of the harvest undergoes a traditional, long maceration.

Grape Varietals: 100% Pinot Noir

Tasting Notes: Glossy garnet color.  On the nose, there are lovely aromas of raspberry and cherry, subtle smoky and peppery hints with notes of thyme.  The palate is fruity, elegant, and well-balanced with a long, silky finish.

Food Pairings: Enjoy with roasted vegetables, duck breast, pasta dishes, and aged cheeses.

Elaboration: Charmat Method

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Vines: Situated at a high altitude.  The grapes are prematurely harvested which preserves the freshness and the characteristics valued in sparkling wines.

Soil: Clay-limestone

Vinification:  After the pressing, the grape must is cleaned out and the fruit is prepared under cold conditions for 24 hours. The fermentation takes place at low temperatures. For a more intense freshness, malolactic fermentation is not realized. The wine is then taken away and aged on the fine lees, before being filtered to prepare for the second fermentation. The wine is stabilized by cold process to avoid any tartaric haste. The second fermentation is generated by the addition of yeasts and sugar. It takes place at 18°C in stainless steel vats in order to ensure optimum homogenization. During the second fermentation, the vats are agitated so that the yeasts and sugars remain in suspension. Just before the bottling, the wine is filtered under iso-barometric pressure with micron filters.

Tasting Notes: Green reflections, with the brilliance of fine bubbles increasing the vividness. A fine nose of butter and hazelnut introduces flavors of brioche and almond. Lingering finish on the palate.

Serving Suggestion: Excellent as an aperitif.

Dosage: 12g/L of sugar

Alcohol: 10.5%

Acidity: 4-5 g/l H2SO4