L'Aube Côtes du Rhône Village 2022 Domaine Anne Collard

L'Aube 2022 from Domaine Anne Collard is the flagship cuvée and most ambitious expression from this vineyard born of deep passion and conviction. Its name is poetry itself: «Cros de l'Aube» is the geographic name of the parcel, blending French and Provençal to evoke «the hollow of dawn» — that suspended moment when the first rays of sunlight illuminate the vineyard in the calm of morning, while the hills of the abbey of Saint-Roman still wear their blue haze. An image that captures the softness and depth of this wine from the domaine's oldest vines, vinified without added sulfites and certified biodynamic Demeter since vintage 2022.

The terroir of Comps

Anne Collard's vineyard sits in Comps, the southernmost village of the Côtes du Rhône appellation, just six kilometres north of Château Mourgues du Grès, at the confluence of the Rhône and Gardon rivers. This exceptional site is a cool, preserved oasis swept by the mistral, that cold, dry north wind that naturally cleanses the vines and makes organic and biodynamic viticulture easier. The 30 hectares acquired in 2019 stretch across steep slopes with very stony, rocky soils rich in rolled pebbles inherited from Rhône alluvium, which absorb the sun's heat by day and release it gently at night, favouring slow, harmonious ripening. L'Aube is made from a careful selection of the domaine's oldest vines, Grenache averaging 50 years old, supplemented with Mourvèdre and Carignan, whose naturally low yields concentrate aromatic expression and depth.

Tasting profile

The robe is dark and profound, a deep garnet red with violet reflections. The nose is frank, expressive and beautifully ripe: aromas of dark fruits, wild blackberry, black cherry and blackcurrant, mingle with hints of cinnamon, chocolate and Provençal garrigue. With aeration, the wine opens onto notes of liquorice and forest floor that speak to the depth of old vines. On the palate, L'Aube is both warm and structured: the texture is ample and generous, the tannins firm yet velvety, and natural acidity brings the tension and freshness essential to overall balance. The finish is long, silky, mineral and slightly saline, a direct signature of Comps' pebble soils. Aged 12 months in concrete vats without new oak or added sulfites, this wine expresses with absolute honesty the truth of its terroir and old vines.

The domaine

Anne Collard, who runs Château Mourgues du Grès in Costières de Nîmes with her husband François, has always dreamed of owning her own Côtes du Rhône vineyard. In 2019, she found the site she was seeking and acquired 30 hectares in Comps. Their son now manages the vineyard daily, and conversion to organic and biodynamic farming began immediately, achieving official Demeter certification from vintage 2022 onwards. Vinifications, carried out in Mourgues du Grès cellars, are conducted without sulfites, in spontaneous fermentations with indigenous yeasts, and aged in non-epoxy concrete vats for approximately 12 months for L'Aube, a resolutely non-interventionist approach that places terroir and fruit first. Awarded one star in the Guide Hachette des Vins for vintage 2020, L'Aube is already one of the most convincing expressions of the Côtes du Rhône Villages appellation.

Food pairings

L'Aube will pair beautifully with duck breast with figs, caramelised aubergines with ginger, quails with peaches, herb-crusted lamb, or beef tajine with prunes and warm spices. It will also harmonise well with aged cheeses such as aged mimolette with truffle or dry goat cheese with character. Served between 16 and 18°C, with light decanting advised, it will reveal the full depth and honesty of its southern old vines.