Gigondas Terre des Ainés 2013 - Domaine Montirius

Order bottles of Gigondas Terre des Ainés 2013 - Domaine Montirius

Direct from the estate

The "Terre des Aînés" cuvée takes its name from a large 10-hectare plot, passed down for five generations to the eldest member of the family, thus perpetuating a tradition deeply rooted in the estate's history.

On tasting, this wine is distinguished by its deep color with intense black highlights. The nose reveals a beautiful aromatic complexity, blending notes of licorice, violet, and ripe black fruit. On the palate, the balance between power and finesse is remarkable: the wine is full-bodied, supported by fine-grained, noble tannins, and extended by a very long, lingering finish where the aromas perceived on the nose are faithfully echoed.

Made from a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre, from vines averaging 80 years old (including some centenarian Grenache vines), this wine is cultivated on varied soils of garrigue, blue clay marl, sand, and yellow sandstone, under a Mediterranean climate. The grapes are harvested by hand, and the traditional vinification takes place in cement vats, with total destemming, gentle crushing, and indigenous yeasts. The wine is aged in vats for two winters without any oak aging, before bottling according to the lunar calendar, without the addition of sulfites. Produced at a rate of approximately 40,000 bottles per year, this Gigondas has an aging potential of 4 to 15 years.

The Gigondas “Terre  des Aînés” from Domaine Montirius is an emblematic cuvée of the appellation, made primarily from Grenache complemented by Syrah, from old vines planted in clay and garrigue soils. The nose is intense and generous, mingling aromas of ripe black fruit, jammy cherry, sweet spices, and typical garrigue notes. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and structured, with present but well-integrated tannins, supported by a lovely freshness that balances the whole. This is a Gigondas of character, both powerful and elegant, perfectly reflecting the richness of its terroir.

Vinified without oak to preserve the purity of the fruit, it offers an authentic and sincere expression of the Southern Rhône. This wine can be enjoyed now after decanting, but it reveals its full potential after a few years of aging, developing more complex notes of leather, undergrowth, and spice. It will ideally accompany dishes with character such as a leg of lamb, game or meats in sauce.

Christine and Eric Saurel manage this estate using biodynamic farming methods with great passion. It is one of the most promising estates in Gigondas and Vacqueyras. All four Gigondas cuvées are superb.

Domaine Montirius is a family estate located in the southern Rhône Valley, spanning approximately 60 hectares between Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and Côtes-du-Rhône. Converted to biodynamic farming in 1996, it is a pioneer, having obtained certification for these appellations in 1999. Run by the Saurel family for several generations, the estate is committed to respecting the balance of life and faithfully expressing each terroir. Its artisanal and dedicated approach gives rise to authentic, precise wines, deeply connected to their environment.

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