
Located in La Crau, a few kilometers from Pierrefeu, Domaine de La Maïonnette spreads on a 30 hectare-vineyard where the wines are grown with passion to express the best of its terroir. La Maïonnette has been an independent winegrower since 1913.
The vines are equally divided between two appellations: AOP Côtes de Provence and IGP Méditerranée.
In addition to the traditional rosé wines of Provence, Domaine de La Maïonnette offers high quality white and red wines.
The estate benefits from a Mediterranean climate, where winters are rigorous and allow the vine to regenerate more easily, and summers are hot, providing a beautiful maturity to the grapes. The sea breeze avoids radical changes in temperature.
The wines of Domaine de la Maïonnette reflect the elegance of the Provençal terroir, characterized by the hot and dry climate. The clay-limestone based soils represent an ideal place to grow the grapes thanks to their ability to retain the water better, while bringing body and power to the wine, and leaving them supple and round.
The night harvest - that favors the freshness of the aromas - and the vinification are also thought to enhance the quality of the grapes ripening under the Mediterranean climate.
The Malard family has been rooted in wine for 3 generations. In the 90s, Jean-Louis Malard developed his own Champagne wines. He quickly became one of the major players in the Champagne landscape. Passionate about wine and driven by entrepreneurship, he's always in the search for new challenges around his passion. Attached to the Provence region and the quality of the wines produced there, purchasing Domaine de La Maïonnette was the perfect match and the result of a long research and meticulous work.
Maionnette Mediterranee Blanc is made from 30% Rolle, 30% Viognier, 20% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc.
Domaine de la Maïonnette is produced from grapes benefiting from an ideal location next to the river and planted on a clay-limestone based soil with a silty character, which brings suppleness, roundness and lightness to the wines.
La Maionnette is a brilliant straw yellow colored white offering delicate aromas of citrus fruits, and fresh notes of pear and apricot. Rich and round on the palate, and a good balance.
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:
"Only made in top vintages, the 2018 Cornas Mère Michel is a tribute to Johann's wife and a play on the French song "La Mere Michelle." Brought up in a new demi-muid, it's a richer, broader wine compared to the Cuvée Jana yet still has incredible Cornas style in its red, black, and blue fruits as well as notes of toasted spice, roasted meat, chocolate, and wild herbs. Rich, full-bodied, and opulent, it has a touch more upfront appeal and should be drinkable in just 4-5 years yet also evolve for two decades." -
Jeb Dunnuck (Northern Rhône: The 2018s and 2019s, November 19th 2020), 98 pts
Fullerton Lichtenwalter Pinot Noir is made from 100% Pinot Noir - 10 years old
12 months in 100% neutral French Oak
On the western slope of the south-facing Ribbon Ridge sits the lovely Lichtenwalter Vineyard. Here Willakenzie soils, derived from ancient sedimentary seabed, coax black fruits and concentrated spices out of the wines.
Aromas of blackcurrant, blueberry, blackberry, and black cherry with concentrated spices followed by hints of sandalwood, smoke and oolong tea. Depth in the mid-palate pairs with balanced acidity, and so, yet structured tannins. The Willamee Valley’s smallest AVA speaks clearly and compellingly through this wine.
This wine comes from 100% destemmed rotator barrels fermented at ambient temperature reaching a peak temperature of 73° F. The rotator barrel spun twice daily during fermentation yielding a gentle extraction. Aer fermentation, the wine went through a three-week extended maceration, allowing the tannins to polymerize, soening the wine. Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels and three months in tank, the wine was then boled aer filtration.