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The story of Philippe Chesnelong and a wine that makes everyone fall in love with the South of France
Some wines are simply memorable.
Not because they come from a famous appellation. Not because they have a prestigious classification. But because, from the very first glass, they create a reaction:
“What is this wine?”
At The French Paradox, if we had to choose one wine that perfectly represents why we do what we do, Domaine Les Creisses would undoubtedly be among the first names mentioned.
A bottle that surprises, seduces and convinces almost everyone who tastes it.
A true Languedoc icon.
A great wine does not always need a famous name
The Languedoc is one of France’s most fascinating wine regions.
For decades, it was often associated with quantity rather than quality. But over recent years, a new generation of passionate winemakers has completely changed the perception of the region.
They have shown that, with the right terroir and the right vision, the South of France can produce wines of incredible elegance, freshness and complexity.
Philippe Chesnelong is one of those people.
The vision of Philippe Chesnelong
Domaine Les Creisses is a family estate with roots going back to the nineteenth century, producing wine in its Languedoc cellar for more than a century.
When Philippe Chesnelong took over the domaine, he had a clear ambition: to reveal the true potential of this exceptional Mediterranean terroir and create a wine capable of standing among the great southern French reds.
With the help of his cousin Louis Mitjavile, known for his Bordeaux expertise, he developed a style that combines the generosity of the Languedoc with a remarkable level of refinement.
The result is Domaine Les Creisses.
A unique Languedoc terroir
The name “Les Creisses” comes from the local word for stones.
And stones are at the heart of this wine.
The original vineyard is planted on an 11-hectare plateau of deep clay-limestone soils covered with stones, producing wines with density, silkiness and freshness. The estate also expanded onto gravelly Villafranchian slopes, where the wines gain further elegance and delicacy.
This combination of soils gives the wine its signature: Mediterranean richness balanced by remarkable freshness.
A southern blend with a Bordeaux soul
The exact blend may vary depending on the vintage, but Domaine Les Creisses is built around the great southern varieties, with Syrah and Grenache at its heart, complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon and other local grapes.
It is this combination that makes the wine so unique.
The Syrah brings spice and depth.
The Grenache brings generosity and warmth.
The Cabernet Sauvignon adds structure and elegance.
Together, they create a wine that feels both unmistakably Mediterranean and surprisingly refined.
In the glass – power without heaviness
The 2024 vintage opens with intense aromas of ripe black fruits, blackberry, black cherry and plum, followed by notes of garrigue, liquorice, pepper and subtle spice.
On the palate, it is generous and beautifully textured.
The fruit is rich, but never overwhelming. The tannins are smooth and polished, giving the wine a velvety character, while a fresh mineral line keeps everything perfectly balanced.
This is the magic of Les Creisses:
A powerful wine that never feels heavy.
A generous wine that remains elegant.
The kind of wine people remember
There are many excellent wines in the world.
But some bottles have something more: personality.
Domaine Les Creisses has become a favourite among wine lovers because it breaks expectations. It proves that the Languedoc is capable of producing wines with depth, sophistication and a true sense of place, the Terroir.
It does not need a famous appellation written on the label.
The wine speaks for itself.
Why we love it at The French Paradox
We believe wine should create emotions.
It should tell a story about a person, a place and a philosophy.
Domaine Les Creisses tells the story of Philippe Chesnelong’s vision, of a unique Languedoc terroir, and of a region that continues to surprise.
The Domaine Les Creisses 2024 is not just one of our favourite wines.
It is exactly the kind of wine that reminds us why we created The French Paradox in the first place.
A bottle with a story.
A bottle with a soul.
A bottle that makes people smile.
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