Domaine des Ardoisieres, Prearrival
The Summit of Savoy
March 17, 2025
A reference Domaine of the region Bettane & Desseuve
Their results are often admirable: the wines show great finesse and originality, further widening the gap with ageing. […] If a domaine exists that is emblematic of Savoy’s qualitative renewal, and ambition, it is this one. Revue du Vin de France
Our friend Merrick Gilroy, formerly of Contessa and The Tasting Counter now focusses on leading bespoke gourmet tours of major European wine regions. From one of his recent travels, he sent us this:
Since 2005 Champagne native Brice Ormont has farmed Domaine des Ardoisières, a collection of ancient vineyard sites in Savoy’s Alpine foothills of Mont Blanc. He farms these vineyards organically and biodynamically, with no chemical fungicide, herbicide or insecticide
Domaine des Ardoisieres pitch-perfect wines are testament to Brice Ormont's skill and artistry in the vineyards and cellar. Each of his wines has a distinct personality that cannot be compared to anything else, from the mountain water freshness of the whites, to the otherworldly reds which strike a balance of deep aromatics and tannins at once delicate and tenacious. Working with indigenous varietals, through biodynamic practices, these wines cast a taste of place that transports you to the hillside of Mont Blanc in each sip.
White
2023 Schist Blanc: The wine is a kaleidoscopic array of aromas and textures from the layered blending of grapes ranging from the indigenous jacquere and mondeuse blanche, with roussanne and pinot gris. The elevation and steep slopes on which the vines are grown at lends a focus onto a unique facet of the flavor profiles not typically seen. The mouthfeel is both mouth coating and lean while providing a refreshing elegant finish. Great potential to age $65
2023 Aigue-Marine Blanc: Brut de Cuve, (Pure grape nothing added) a blend of Roussanne and a little Altesse, with a beautiful freshness $53
Red
2022 Amethyste Rouge: The showstopper of their red offerings, this is a blend of Persan and Mondeuse that halts one's palate in its tracks upon the first sip. Brimming with elegance, the wine has a slow burn of deep plum and soft leather that envelope the palate in silken tannins
”The nose offers a delicately smoky notes with a strong spicy character. The mouth is delectable, fsvelte with a beautiful complexity” RVF. $88
2023 Erythrite Rouge: Brut de Cuve (Pure grape nothing added) aged in amphorae and foudres, 100% Mondeuse. The aroma is close to a beautiful northern Rhone Syrah, with notes of pepper, violet, delicate black fruits (blackcurrant, blackberry), all carried by present but very fine tannins, beautiful concentration in good balance. $64
2024Argile Rouge features mondeuse and persasn with a facet of gamay's personality not seen grown elsewhere; the altitude provides the racy acidity, but the sun-struck region with its deeply cool nights providing tempered fruit from what you'd expect from Beaujolais, with more spice and earth. Ageable. $42
All prices net per bottle
Orders due by Thursday
Wine will arrive in early summer, payment due then.
FREE DELIVERY!
downtown on orders more than $75;
in Greater Boston on orders more than $199
