Mas Jullien : Autour de Jonquières 2020

Characteristics and tasting tips for Autour de Jonquières 2020 from Mas Jullien

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a deep red color with ruby highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals beautiful aromatic complexity with notes of black and red fruits, accompanied by nuances of graphite, pepper, and violet. Mediterranean touches of garrigue and subtle mineral notes complete this elegant bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, this wine captivates with its rich and velvety texture, carried by silky, perfectly integrated tannins. The balance between power and elegance is remarkable, with a persistent freshness that runs throughout the tasting. The long, mineral finish leaves an impression of delicate tension and great purity of expression.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs ideally with grilled herb-crusted lamb chops or a roasted lamb shoulder. It also goes beautifully with grilled beef preparations, Mediterranean dishes with tomatoes and olives, or aged Gouda-style cheeses.

Serving and storage

The Autour de Jonquières 2020 can be enjoyed now after a brief aeration, but will gain in complexity over time. This wine has a cellaring potential of approximately 2040.

An exceptional red from Terrasses du Larzac by Mas Jullien

The estate

Founded in 1985 by Olivier Jullien, then just twenty years old, Mas Jullien has established itself as one of the undisputed benchmarks of the Languedoc. Located in Jonquières, approximately 40 kilometers from the Mediterranean, the estate spans around twenty hectares of vines planted on the terraces of the Larzac. Olivier Jullien, still at the helm of the property, has been recognized as a visionary pioneer who demonstrated the exceptional potential of this region. Practicing rigorous biodynamic viticulture, he has forged a style that favors freshness, elegance, and the mineral expression of the terroir, going against prevailing trends. La Revue du Vin de France has awarded him three stars for three consecutive decades, a testament to the consistent excellence of his wines.

The vineyard

Autour de Jonquières is sourced from around ten micro-plots situated around the village of Jonquières, within the Terrasses du Larzac appellation. These vines are planted at high altitude, reaching up to 900 meters, on poor soils composed primarily of limestone and limestone scree. This privileged geographical location benefits from significant temperature variations between day and night, giving the grapes remarkable freshness while preserving their aromatic complexity. The old vines, cultivated according to biodynamic principles with yields limited to approximately 30 hectoliters per hectare, allow for an authentic and profound expression of the terroir.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage benefited from favorable climatic conditions, producing grapes of exceptional quality that combine physiological ripeness with the aromatic freshness characteristic of high-altitude terroirs.

Winemaking and aging

After manual harvesting and rigorous sorting, the grapes for Autour de Jonquières 2020 are destemmed and then vinified separately by plot in 40-hectoliter tanks using indigenous yeasts. Fermentation, lasting approximately three weeks, is accompanied by regular punching down under strict temperature control. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged in 600-liter demi-muids for one year, then transferred to large oak foudres for an additional two years. This extended maturation allows the wine to develop its complexity while preserving the finesse of its expression.

Grape varieties

Mourvèdre (40%)
Carignan (40%)
Syrah (20%)