Mas Jullien : La Brune 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for La Brune 2023 from Mas Jullien

Tasting

Colour
This cuvée reveals a deep ruby hue, enhanced by burgundy and garnet highlights.

Nose
Evolving and rich, the aromatic bouquet blends scents of ripe dark fruits, such as blackberry and blackcurrant, with subtle notes of fine leather and sweet spices. Delicate touches of pepper, violet and garrigue complete the whole.

Palate
The attack is rich and fruity, leading into a full-bodied, structured mid-palate. The tannins, both firm and elegant, support a supple, easy-drinking texture. The finish, impressively persistent, stretches out with flavours of liquorice, blood orange and herbes de Provence, all carried by a mineral and saline backbone.

Food and Wine Pairing

This red wine pairs ideally with full-flavoured meats such as rack of lamb, beef sirloin or haunch of venison. It is also a wonderful match for Mediterranean cuisine, particularly slow-cooked dishes with herbs, as well as mature hard cheeses such as Comté or aged Gouda.

Serving and Cellaring

To fully appreciate the complexity of Mas Jullien 2023, we recommend decanting it for about thirty minutes before serving and enjoying it at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. Built for ageing, this wine can be cellared and is best enjoyed until around 2043.

The Elegance and Depth of a Red Wine from Terrasses du Larzac

The Estate

Founded in 1985 by Olivier Jullien, Mas Jullien is located in Jonquières, in the heart of Languedoc, France. A pioneer of the region's quality revival, this vineyard of around twenty hectares is still run by its founder, Olivier Jullien. The producer cultivates native grape varieties with an approach that respects the living environment, without claiming any official certification. The estate is distinguished by its mastery of blending and its ability to reveal the complexity of the local terroirs, producing wines renowned for their freshness and minerality.

The Vineyard

The vines used for this cuvée thrive in the Terrasses du Larzac appellation, at an altitude of between 150 and 250 metres. The terroir consists mainly of limestone gravel on the upper terraces of the Hérault, fostering essential microbial activity. The vineyard is managed with practices inspired by organic farming, favouring soil work and respect for nature, with no use of herbicides.

The Vintage

The 2023 vintage benefited from particularly favourable climatic conditions, described by the estate as a true alignment of the stars. This mild weather allowed the grapes to reach optimal ripeness while preserving the natural balance of the berries.

Vinification and Ageing

The 2023 Mas Jullien grapes are harvested by hand. The bunches are fully destemmed before a 15 to 25-day maceration, punctuated by gentle extractions such as punching down and pumping over. Fermentation takes place exclusively with indigenous yeasts. The wine is then aged for 12 months in small foudres or barrels, followed by 6 to 12 months in concrete tanks to refine the structure.

Grape Varieties

Mourvèdre (about 40%), Carignan (30 to 40%), Syrah (20 to 30%).