Thalvin-Graillot

In the fascinating wine-growing context of Benslimane, Morocco, lies the Thalvin-Graillot production company, founded in 2005 and soon becoming a reference point in the local wine scene. Viticulture in Morocco has for decades been a major resource for France, which invested heavily in the area after the phylloxera-related wine crisis. Following decolonisation, local production suffered a sudden decline, but the country's quality potential is undeniable as the presence of mountain ranges and high plateaus creates an ideal environment for growing vines despite the summer heat that grips the territory. The Thalvin-Graillot project is the result of a joint venture between Thalvin-Ebertec, the group that owns the historic Domaine des Ouled Thaleb, and Alain Graillot, an illustrious producer from the Northern Rhône, the creator of some of the most highly regarded Crozes-Hermitage. Alain, flanked by his sons Maxime and Antoine, decided to embark on this adventure while cycling along the Moroccan vineyards of Zenata's Appellation d'Origine Garantie.
The vineyards cultivated by the Thalvin-Graillot estate are located in the Zenata area, between the cities of Casablanca and Rabat, about 40 kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean. Here, on soils rich in red clay, the French Syrah and Cinsault varieties are cultivated without the use of herbicides or pesticides, respecting the health of the soil, the plant and the environment in general. Harvesting is done entirely by hand, fermentation takes place in cement vats while the subsequent ageing phase takes place between cement and used French oak barrels.
Compared to the Rhône, Thalvin-Graillot's Syrahs display more warmth and envelopment, attributes resulting from the peculiar climatic characteristics of the Moroccan terroir, although they retain the elegant spiciness that is the stylistic signature of producer Alain Graillot.