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Country: | France |
Region: | Corbieres |
Winery: | S.C.V. Castelmaure |
Grape Type: | Syrah |
Organic: | Yes |
Vintage: | 2022 |
Bottle Size: | 750 ml |
Castelmaure Cuvee N°3 Corbieres is made from 70% Syrah, 28% grenache and 2% Carignan
The S.C.V Castelmaure Estate
S.C.V. Castelmaure was founded in the 1920’s and today consists of 65 members, of which 15 bring 85% of the production. The winery is located in the unofficial Corbieres cru site of Durban (there are 11 unofficial Cru’s in Corbieres), which will become soon an official Cru together with Boutenac and Alaric. The Serre mountain in the south protects the little plateau of Castelmaure from the off weather patterns of the Mediterranean sea.
Patrick de Marien, the president of the cave, and Bernard Pueyo, the director, work in conjunction with Tardieu/Laurent in trying to produce wines of higher quality each year.
The S.C.V Castelmaure Vineyard
The AOC Corbieres was created in 1985 and measures 23,000 hectares (56,810 acres). The appellation requires a minimum of two grapes in a wine blend.
The co-op farms 350 hectares (868 acres) around the tiny hamlet of Embres et Castelmaure. The 760 parcels are inspected and the characteristics recorded on computer. Each parcel is supervised individually by a technician who dedicates his time to this task. They have re-learned to prune, plough, check yields, sort, select, with a permanent focus on the respect of the environment. All the grapes are harvested by hand. In the cellar, vats hygiene, temperature control, ultramodern pressing contribute to a better expression of the terroir.
Castelmaure produces 90% red wine of which 80% is A.O.C. Corbieres.
The soil is made of schist, limestone, alluvial river wash and argilo-calcaire.
Castelmaure Grande Cuvee Corbieres Rouge is made from 50% Grenache (30 year old) and 50% Syrah (30 year old)..
In the early 1990’s, Castelmaure began experimenting with a Prestige Cuvée of Corbières. This wine has become known as “Grande Cuvée” and is made with the help of the winemaking team of Tardieu-Laurent.
Vinification: destemming, pneumatic press, end of fermentation at 25 degrees C; two racking; aging in tank then in 220 Liter Bordeaux barrels for 10-12 months. Egg fining, slight filtration..
Deep and intense color, powerful aromas of dark berry fruit, prune and coffee nuances, and a persistent finish.
Vineyards: planted on 50% Schist and 50% limestone soils.
Castelmaure Col des Vents Corbieres is made from 50% Carignan, 30% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Cinsault.
"Col des Vents" means "Windy Mountain Pass" as it is quite windy and located at the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains.
Originally, the label was a replicate of a Max Savy's painting.
Brambly berry, cherry and raspberry, spices, black pepper ... all are present in this authentic French country wine. There are also some aromas of Garrigue (Rosemary, thyme and lavender) giving a minty, herbal notes, that are quite refreshing as well.
Castelmaure Col des Vents Corbieres is made from 50% Carignan, 30% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Cinsault.
"Col des Vents" means "Windy Mountain Pass" as it is quite windy and located at the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains.
Originally, the label was a replicate of a Max Savy's painting.
Brambly berry, cherry and raspberry, spices, black pepper ... all are present in this authentic French country wine. There are also some aromas of Garrigue (Rosemary, thyme and lavender) giving a minty, herbal notes, that are quite refreshing as well.
Castelmaure Corbieres Vin-Gris (Rose) is made from 80% Grenache, 10% Carignan, 10% Cinsault.
Pale pink rose color, a classic gris de gris wine with salmon hues.
Delicate strawberry nose, seamless and fine pointed.
Delicious as an aperitif, it is also great when paired with seafood, salads, Asian-Thai cuisine, grilled fish and tajines.
Fayolle Crozes-Hermitage Rouge Cuvee Nicolas is made from 100 percent Syrah.
Deep ruby red color. Nose of red and black currant fruits, pepper, spring flowers, new leather and mineral/earthy nuances. Medium bodied palate of red fruit and spice. Nice balance. Long finish and velvety.
Good match with red meat (beef, lams) or white meat (veal) in sauce, poultry and game meat. Perfect with most cheeses.
Review:
"Smoky black fruits, black olive, licorice, and iron notes all define the aromatics (which are almost Cornas-like) of the 2022 Crozes-Hermitage La Cuvée Nicolas. It's medium to full-bodied and has a focused, layered mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and beautiful length on the finish."
- Jeb Dunnuck (Importer Highlight: Fran Kysela ; July 2024), 93 pts
Johann Michel Cornas Cuvee Mere Michel is made from 100 percent Syrah.
Cuvee Mère Michel was first introduced in 2016 and is not produced every year. This wine is a tribute to Johann Michel' wife, Emmanuelle, and a nod to the French song, La Mere Michel. This wines comes from Selection Massale (replanting new vineyards with cuttings from exceptional old vines from the same property) cuttings of Serine off the 1947 Yves Cuilleron vineyard at Chavanay. The vineyards are located in the lieu-dit "Les Cotes" at an altitude of 230 meters and benefiting from a southern sun exposure.
Review:
The tiny production 2022 Cornas Mère Michel is 100% Serine that was not destemmed and was aged 14 months in French oak. Tighter and more focused, this beautiful wine reveals ripe red and blue fruits that give way to more spice, leather, graphite, and mineral notes. More medium to full-bodied, with a firm spine of tannins, it's impressive but will need time.
-Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points
A deep powerful Gran Reserva from one of Rioja Alavesa’s most enduring family run wineries. The hillside terraced vineyards are sheltered by the Sierra Cantabria Mountains to the north from harsh weather extremes. Small plot production is utilized in this region of infertile chalky clay soil to produce clusters of excellent quality. Almost 900 plots are needed to complete the approximately 400 hectares of estate-owned or cellar-controlled vineyards, some with vines more than 100 years in age.
Tasting notes
Ruby red color with earthy tones. The wine shows finesse, elegance and complexity with good concentration of black fruit, thyme and rosemary with secondary aromas of leather and tobacco leaves. In the palate it is polished and rounded, making it pleasant and easy to drink. Fleshy with both elegance and power. It has touches of black fruit jam and liquorice. A long, delicious and persistent finish.
Suitable for pairing with a long, copious meal where it can accommodate braised vegetables, cold cuts, peppers stuffed with hake and shrimp, mushroom omelettes, cod Rioja style, both red and white meat... and so on.
Review:
"Lastly, the 2017 Rioja Gran Reserva checks in as 95% Tempranillo and 5% Graciano aged 24 months in French and American oak. It's another deeply hued red from this producer that has a complex, impeccably made style. Cedary red and black fruits, smoky tobacco, vanilla bean, and charcoal notes giveway to a rich, powerful Rioja that has ample structure, medium to full body, building tannins, and a great finish. This smoky, complex, satisfying effort will evolve for another 10-15 years."
- Jeb Dunnuck (Importer Highlight: Fran Kysela ; July 2024), 94 pts
A refreshing and crisp, dry white with notes of grapefruit and hints of candied pineapple on the nose. Pearmund Cellars is the largest producer of this standout varietal in the Americas.
Wine Information
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 0%