A focus on Ch de Montfaucon Baron Louis 2013 Lirac
90 points (Wine Spectator - Nov. 15, 2016)
"This sports a brambly feel, with lots of dark licorice and warm fruitcake notes mixing with lightly steeped plum and blackberry fruit. Maintains good energy through the modestly toasted finish."
VINTAGE REPORT
Very late vintage, 2013 saw us harvest until the middle of October. After a very fresh spring, the hot and sunny summer allowed a beautiful maturity of grapes while preserving a lot of freshness. A very well-balanced vintage!
INSPIRATION
Baron Louis de Montfaucon, the forerunner of the family, restored medieval castle in the 19th century. Wine lover, he produced and sold his own wine. It is in his honor that this cuvée, a blend of five grape-varieties, bears his name. Baron Louis has the richness of the Southern Rhone Valley wines associated with fineness and elegance that characterize Montfaucon wines.
SOIL
Pebbles and limestone scree on sandy loam soil.
GRAPES-VARIETIES
50% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Cinsault, 10% Carignan, 10% Mourvèdre.
Selection of our best old vines (up to 95 years old). Maximum yield of 35 hl/ha.
WINE-MAKING AND AGING
Hand picking. Total destemming. Fermentaon of 7 days followed by a post-fermentation maceration, for a total vatting of 14 days. 70% of the blend is aged in oak barrels (from 1 to 8 wines) during 12 months. Bottling after 21 months of aging.
TASTING
Tasted in January 2016
The nose is very expressive first with black currant and cherry jam notes followed by fresh ‘garrigue’ and hints of leather notes. The palate reveals an intense wine with great freshness and minerality. Black fuit notes are followed by bay leaf and light aromas of liquorice.
SUGGESTED FOOD AND WINE PAIRINGS
Gigot roasted with garlic paste ( crème d’ail)
BBQ prime rib of beef
Wild boar daube (Provençal stew)
PRESS
Vintage 2013
Revue des Vins de France - Grande réussite
Decanter World Wine Awards 2016 - Commended
Wine Spectator - 90 pts
Vintage 2012
Robert Parker - 90 pts
Rhône Report Jeb Dunnuck - 90 pts
Revue des Vins de France - 14/20
Vintage 2011
Decanter World Wine Awards - Bronze medal
Guide Prix Plaisir - Bronze medal
Vintage 2010
Robert Parker - 90 pts
Rhône Report Jeb Dunnuck - 90 + pts
Decanter World Wine Awards - Bronze medal