Domaine de Montcalmès : Terrasses du Larzac 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Terrasses du Larzac 2023 from Domaine de Montcalmès

Tasting

Appearance
This wine reveals a very deep red, almost black hue, with a beautiful brightness.

Nose
Intense and complex, the bouquet exhales noble aromas of fully ripe black fruits, such as blackcurrant and blackberry, intimately intertwined with scents of garrigue, pepper and nutmeg. Subtle smoky notes, tobacco, musk and a touch of minty freshness complete this rich olfactory palette.

Palate
Ample and velvety, the palate reveals a pulpy texture supported by fine, ripe and precise tannins. The balance is remarkable between the wine's natural power and a great freshness, extending into a long, delicate finish with spicy and minty accents.

Food and wine pairings

This red wine pairs ideally with grilled meats such as a rib of beef, a roasted rack of lamb, or characterful game dishes such as wild boar stew or venison daube. It also wonderfully accompanies rich Mediterranean dishes such as moussaka, slow-cooked ratatouille or grilled vegetables with herbs.

Serving and cellaring

To fully appreciate this Terrasses du Larzac 2023, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature of around 16°C, after decanting for one to two hours in its youth. This cellaring wine can be enjoyed from 2026 and will continue to evolve favourably until around 2035.

Other characteristics

This wine is certified organic. It is bottled without any fining or filtration, strictly following the lunar calendar during the old moon phase.

A Languedoc red wine of great finesse

The estate

Founded in 1998 in Puéchabon, France, Domaine de Montcalmès has become a true icon of the Languedoc. Once destined for the cooperative, the family vines were taken over by Frédéric Pourtalié, who now runs the estate with his sister Muriel. This estate of around twenty hectares stands out for a highly demanding artisanal philosophy, certified organic. Thanks to extremely low yields and meticulous work, Domaine de Montcalmès produces sought-after terroir wines, combining Mediterranean power with exceptional freshness and finesse.

The vineyard

Located at around 300 metres of altitude, the vineyard benefits from the strong nocturnal thermal amplitudes typical of the Terrasses du Larzac appellation. The vines, averaging around thirty years old, thrive on two distinct terroirs: a north-facing lacustrine limestone plateau at Puéchabon, ideal for preserving acidity, and sunnier soils of rolled pebbles at Aniane. Entirely farmed organically, the vineyard receives rigorous manual care, including ploughing, short pruning and green harvesting to naturally limit production.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes are hand-harvested, destemmed and crushed before being conveyed by gravity. Fermentation is triggered by indigenous yeasts, followed by a gentle maceration of around thirty days punctuated by pump-overs. The aging of this Terrasses du Larzac 2023 then takes place over twenty-four months in French oak barrels of several wines, some of which come from the prestigious Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. The final blending of the different lots takes place two months before bottling.

Grape varieties

Syrah (60%), Mourvèdre (20%), Grenache (20%).