2011 Maxime Magnon Corbières Rouge Rozeta

Price $150/6 ($25/bottle) SOLD OUT

Drinking wine is like taking a long road trip. You can stay on the highway and reach your destination as efficiently as possible, or you can leisurely navigate the two lane roads that course through town and countryside. Get off the main arteries and you’ll mostly find the predictable regional wares, good and bad. But occasionally something will surprise you. In this spirit, here is a Languedoc red wine produced by a native Burgundian via the Cru Beaujolais, Morgon.

Following in the footsteps of his tutor, the celebrated Jean Foillard, winemaker Maxime Magnon uses some biodynamic practices on his certified organic parcels. He allows sheep to graze the vineyards for weed control and fertilization. He utilizes whole cluster fermentation and does not add sulfur during vinification.

“Rozeta” is mostly Carignan from 50-60 year old vines growing out of the schist and limestone of Hautes Corbières, on the border of Fitou. Grenache, Syrah, Grenache Gris, Macabou, and Terret vines are dispersed throughout the Carignan and all of these grapes are picked and fermented together to make an old school field blend. Aging is done in second-hand, Burgundian barrels sourced from a producer in Chassagne.

The resulting wine is a pretty, clear, cranberry color in the glass. Aromas of strawberry leather, candied citrus peel, and spring wildflowers rise above a hint of garrigue. A sip is juicy and tangy on a wave of delicate minerality. Pair it with a subtly spiced dish of something roasted and a few Röyksopp tunes for an evening of blissful passage.

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Posted on 2013.02.14 in France, Languedoc-Roussillon