Vindemiatrix VdF 2022 1500ml Magnum

A Carignan that shows the grape variety in its purest form. The nose is dense: sour cherry, so concentrated it brings liqueur to mind, joined by mulberry and blackberry, underscored by yeast, bresaola, garrigue, black olive tapenade and crushed dark stone.

The vineyard lies in southwestern Roussillon, not far from the Spanish border. The vines stand on a terrace, sheltered by stone walls, rock and adjoining forest. The subsoil is weathered gneiss, lending the wine minerality and depth.

Single-varietal Carignan from vines planted in 1899. The yield is around 9 hl/ha. The wine is sold as Vin de France, dry and at 13.0% Vol.; it is bottled at the Moulin de Breuil in Montesquieu-des-Albères. This bottle holds 1500 ml.

Fresh and juicy. The fruit comes across crisper here than the nose would suggest. Acidity and firm tannin are closely woven with it, staying clear and precise while carrying a finely polished texture.

Dr. Georg Meissner teaches biodynamic viticulture according to Rudolf Steiner in Geisenheim and is responsible for agriculture, cellar and research at Alois Lageder in South Tyrol; since 2015 he has headed respekt-BIODYN's education and training programme. His two plots in Roussillon were slated to be grubbed up; they are farmed jointly with Flo Busch. The label carries the Demeter logo. The name refers to Vindemiatrix, the star Epsilon Virginis in the constellation Virgo, whose appearance the Romans awaited before beginning the harvest.