If wine always tells a story, at Domaine de la Ramaye it also has a voice: that of Michel Issaly who tells it, recounts it and whose words we drink in as we drink his wine with the wonder of the rediscovered terroir.
The spirit of wine and the land
Domaine de la Ramaye has existed since 1846. The vines have been passed down within the family for six generations. The vineyard comprises just six hectares, but with Michel Issaly, it becomes clear that the modest size has nothing to do with the winemaker's greatness. First and foremost, it is his magnanimity and his love, as well as his understanding, of the ancestral land. For before even considering blending the wines, the winemaker first addresses the natural order to keep it alive and thriving. Then, he dedicates himself to the infinite respect for the celestial cycles that govern the awakening and slumber of the earth and the vine. In Michel Issaly 's wines , it is this unspoiled nature that bursts forth and enchants.
A sleeping cellar
At Domaine de la Ramaye, not only is the ancestral tradition perpetuated, but the spirit of remembrance remains. For Michel Issaly does not make wine alone: the spirit of the wine accompanies him everywhere, just as it accompanied his father, his grandfather, and his ancestors. And if he speaks to you of the Wine of Oblivion , don't take him at his word: here, memory is profound, awareness is absolute. Simply understand that the Wine of Oblivion ages in the ancestral cellar where the protective dust, beneath its veil, exalts the spirit of the vine. If the wine is forgotten in the secret antechambers of the cellar, it is so that it may be rediscovered all the more fully, rich and vibrant with the flavors of the Domaine de la Ramaye vines and the robust structure of the wood that protects them.
Wines that speak
Michel Issaly is as alive as his wine, through his words, his love for his land, and his unwavering commitment to producing only natural wine. A wine that challenges conventional tastes, for this wine draws its power from the very depths of the earth where the vines of Domaine de la Ramaye find their lifeblood. Thus, the wines are named Sang ( Blood), like the blood of the earth and the crimson of the press, pushing the power of a red wine that blends Braucol and Prunelard to its peak. Or Quintessence , a white wine sculpted into a golden robe, its juices and complex aromas from the Loin de l'Oeil grapes delicately combined with Mauzac. You understand: with Michel Issaly, wine speaks with a grand, powerful, and poetic voice, once again expressing the richness and names of his land. This is further evidenced by the red wines from Combe d'Aves , Clos Rayssac or Grand Tertre.
