Gigondas AOC 2021 1500ml Magnum

A dry red wine with 13.5% vol., whose tension comes from altitude: at 520 metres, the temperature drops by one degree per 100 metres of elevation, combined with cool winds from the Dentelles. This gives the wine freshness and tension rather than southern heaviness.

Domaine d'Ouréa, named after the Greek god of mountains, farms 20 hectares in Vacqueyras and Gigondas. Adrien Roustan took over part of his grandfather Raymond Bertrand's vineyard in 2009, converted to organic farming in 2010, with certification following in 2012, and has been working biodynamically since 2020. This wine comes from La Belle Cime, one hectare on the southern slope of the Dentelles de Montmirail at 520 metres, surrounded by holm oaks and rock.

70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Cinsault from vines planted in 1982. After hand-harvesting, half of the grapes were destemmed and crushed, followed by spontaneous fermentation and two weeks of maceration. Ageing took place exclusively in concrete tanks, without any new oak. No oenological additives are used, apart from a homeopathic dose of sulphur.

A pure, fragrant nose: black raspberries, plums, sour cherries and redcurrants, along with an unusual, lifting note of passion fruit and the scents of the macchia. On the palate the wine is juicy and fleshy, the tannin slightly chalky, the Syrah noticeable, underpinned by a limestone minerality that brings coolness to the cuvée. Garrigue and macchia run through the round fruit and fine texture.

The estate's five Gigondas parcels lie between 400 and 520 metres on the Grand Montmirail, the highest vineyards in the appellation. All parcels are worked by hand, from pruning through to harvest.