Mas Amiel : Vintage Réserve 2020

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Sage Réserve 2020 from Mas Amiel

Tasting

Appearance
The wine displays a deep ruby color with violet highlights.

Nose
The nose is intense and expressive, unveiling aromas of dark fruits such as blackberry and blueberry, accompanied by notes of Burlat cherry. Hints of garrigue, evoking Mediterranean aromatic herbs, complete this generous bouquet.

Palate
On the palate, the wine captivates with its fullness and indulgence. Velvety tannins coat the palate while a perfect balance is achieved between natural sweetness and a surprising tangy freshness. The finish lingers on vibrant fruit, offering a beautiful aromatic persistence.

Food and wine pairing

This vin doux naturel pairs ideally with dark chocolate desserts or red fruit-based preparations. It also goes wonderfully with blue-veined cheeses such as blue cheese or Roquefort. For a bolder pairing, try it with duck with cherries, where the wine's sweetness will elevate the flavors of the dish.

Serving and storage

The Sage Réserve 2020 can be enjoyed now or cellared until approximately 2035. Serve it at a temperature between 12 and 14°C to reveal its full aromatic complexity.

A vin doux naturel from Roussillon with vibrant fruit and preserved freshness

The estate

Founded in 1816 when Raymond Etienne Amiel won the estate during a card game, Mas Amiel now spans 100 hectares of vines in the Agly Valley. Acquired in 1999 by Olivier Decelle, the estate underwent a remarkable transformation under the technical direction of winemaker Nicolas Raffy, who arrived in 2002. Certified organic since 2014 and biodynamic in 2020, Mas Amiel has established itself as an essential benchmark of the Maury appellation, producing exceptional vins doux naturels as well as high-quality dry wines. The estate stands out for its old vines, some dating back to 1914, and for its unique terroir of calcoschists.

The vineyard

The Sage Réserve 2020 comes from Grenache Noir vines planted on the calcoschists characteristic of Maury. These unique soils, composed of calcareous schists, impart a distinctive minerality and remarkable natural freshness to the wines. The vineyard benefits from an exceptional climate with 260 days of sunshine per year and only 370 millimeters of annual rainfall. The vines, cultivated biodynamically, are managed with deliberately limited yields of between 10 and 22 hectoliters per hectare. The southeast exposure of the plots protects the grapes from the scorching afternoon sun while the Tramontane wind brings cool nights that promote optimal ripening.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Roussillon benefited from the favorable climatic conditions characteristic of the Mas Amiel terroir. The natural concentration of the grapes, resulting from the region's semi-arid climate, allowed the production of a fine-quality vin doux naturel, fully expressing the potential of Grenache Noir on this exceptional terroir.

Winemaking and aging

The Sage Réserve 2020 is vinified according to the traditional method for vins doux naturels. The grapes ferment in wooden vats with the estate's indigenous yeasts. At mid-fermentation, the must is fortified by the addition of pure alcohol, halting fermentation and preserving the natural sugars. An extended maceration of 15 to 20 days on the skins follows this stage, allowing optimal extraction of aromas and color. Aging then takes place over 18 months in a reductive environment, partly in wooden vats and partly in new barrels. This aging method, characteristic of the Sage style, preserves the wine's fruit intensity and freshness rather than developing oxidative characteristics.

Grape variety

Grenache Noir (100%)