Wine Offerings: Post

Another Rising Star and Another Gem of a Red Wine from Southern France

The River Hérault rises out of the Cévennes mountain range, carving a path through limestone before flowing south across the fertile plain west of Montpellier and finally emptying into the Mediterranean. It cuts through the heart of the winemaking region of Terrasses du Larzac, past the communes of Puéchabon, Aniane, St Jean de Fos, and St Saturnin de Lucian, where young Frédéric Pourtalié of Domaine Montcalmès cultivates about 54 acres of vines to produce a single red wine that is truly a testament to the terroir of this region — easily one of France’s most exciting at present.

Newly minted with appellation status in 2014, Terrasses du Larzac is distinguished for its unique climate that benefits from both the warm Mediterranean sea and the cool air that blows down from the Cévennes, creating wines that are fresh, yet delicate, with silky tannins, and the earthy garrigue aromas characteristic of the Languedoc. It’s a region that can be described as something like a marriage of the ripeness of Southern Rhône with the energy of Northern Rhône.

Until 1998, this family-owned domaine sold all its fruit to a local cooperative. That year Frédéric, and his father Jean-Marie, decided to create their own cellar. In 1999 Frédéric and his sister Muriel took the helm of Domaine Montcalmès, and for the first time produced and bottled wine from their own vineyards, a little over 400 cases.

But Frédéric was not just a farmer determined to make his own wines. He had already cut his teeth working with legends like Alain Graillot, the Alary family at L’Oratoire St. Martin, and his neighbor, Laurent Vaillé at La Grange des Pères. Today, Domaine Montcalmès is a leading producer in the south of France. In 2012, they started converting the entire estate to organic cultivation. From the 2015 vintage, all production is certified organic.

~$43 Domaine Montcalmès Terrasses du Larzac (2015) RED
Special price based on purchase of 6-pack

A blend of 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache, and 20% Mourvèdre from low-yielding vines aged 30 years on average. The Syrah and Grenache vines are planted on slopes in Puéchabon that are oriented to the north, on a plateau of lacustrine limestone deposits (sedimentary rock formations which formed in the bottom of ancient lakes). The Mourvèdre comes from plots facing south and north-west near Aniane and filled with round stones (galets) much like Châteauneuf-du-Pape. All grape varieties are vinified separately and on indigenous yeasts. Aging takes place in a mix of once, twice used, and older barrels for 24 months.

The result is a full-bodied wine of great concentration and polish. Heady aromatics of dark and juicy fruits intermingle with spicy garrigue and leather. On the palate, plump fruit gives way to soft and velvety tannins. It’s perfect for any holiday gathering where red meat is involved.

Also available are small amounts of previous vintages:

$47 Domaine Montcalmès Terrasses du Larzac (2012) RED
$49 Domaine Montcalmès Terrasses du Larzac (2013) RED
$50 Domaine Montcalmès Terrasses du Larzac (2014) RED

- - -
Posted on 2019.12.05 in France, Saturday Sips Wines, Languedoc-Roussillon

 

Featured Wines

Wine Regions

France

Italy

Portugal

Spain DO

Grape Varieties

Aglianico, Albarino, Albarín Blanco, Albarín Tinto, Albillo, Aleatico, Arbanne, Aubun, Barbarossa, barbera, Beaune, Biancu Gentile, bourboulenc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Caino, Caladoc, Calvi, Carcajolu-Neru, Carignan, Chablis, Chardonnay, Chasselas, Clairette, Corvina, Cot, Counoise, Erbamat, Ferrol, Fiano, Frappato, Friulano, Fromenteau, Fumin, Garnacha, Gewurztraminer, Godello, Graciano, Grenache, Grolleau, Groppello, Juan Garcia, Lambrusco, Loureira, Macabeo, Macabou, Malvasia, Malvasia Nera, Marsanne, Marselan, Marzemino, Melon de Bourgogne, Merlot, Mondeuse, Montanaccia, Montepulciano, Morescola, Morescono, Moscatell, Muscadelle, Muscat, Natural, Nero d'Avola, Parellada, Patrimonio, Petit Meslier, Petit Verdot, Pineau d'Aunis, Pinot Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Poulsard, Prieto Picudo, Rondinella, Rousanne, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Savignin, Semillon, Souson, Sparkling, Sumoll, Sylvaner, Syrah, Tannat, Tempranillo, Trebbiano, Trebbiano Valtenesi, Treixadura, Trousseau, Ugni Blanc, vaccarèse, Verdicchio, Vermentino, Viognier, Viura, Xarel-lo

Wines & Events by Date

Search

 

« Back to Wine Offerings