Chateau de Montmirail – Vacqueyras

Chateau de Montmirail was assembled in 1960 by Maurice Archimbaud from two familial properties.  The family combined 20 hectares of vineyard on the plateau in Vacqueyras and 24 hectares near the Dentelles de Montmirail in Gigondas.  The vines average 40 years of age with the oldest over 80 years.  The predominantly clay/limestone soils produce low yields and concentrated wines from the classic blends of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre.

Some lovely Roses are produced as well.

The wines are all destemmed and largely fermented and aged in lined cement tanks and stainless steel, with some barrel aging for the top cuvees.  The house style combines layers of sweet, ripe fruit with lush, round tannins and plenty of pepper and spice.  Concentrated and rich, they are more accessible in their youth than is typical for these appellations.

 

Wines Produced

Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Jeune Vigne
Vacqueyras Cuvee des Deux Freres
Gigondas Cuvee de Beauchamp
Gigondas La Combe Sauvage
Gigondas Cuvee Saint Maurice

 

Distributors

Maine:  National Distributors
Vermont:  Vermont Wine Merchants
Rhode Island:  Wine Brothers
New York:  Maximum Wine
New Jersey:  Maximum Wine
Illinois:  Louis Glunz Wines
Montana:  Eagle Distributing

 

 

2013 Chateau de Montmirail, Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Jeune Vigne

50% Syrah  40% Grenache  10% Marcillan

8-10 day maceration in cement tanks

Great aromatics    black purple color

Pure black fruits,     ripe, round tannins

 

 

 

2012 Chateau de Montmirail, Vacqueyras Cuvee des Deux Freres

70% Grenache   20% Syrah   10% Mourvedre

10-60 year old vines (average 40)   15-20 days maceration    100% in tank    great aromatics

Sweet cherry fruit, rich, ripe chocolate tannins,

Layered and textured   complex and pure

 

 

 

2013 Chateau de Montmirail, Gigondas Cuvee de Beauchamp

70% Grenache  20% Syrah  10% Mourvedre

25 day maceration  40 year old vines  clay soil at bottom of Les Dentelles de Montmirail

Smooth, fine tannins    supple black fruit with plenty of pepper and spice   lush and soft, ready to drink young

 

 

 

 

2013 Chateau de Montmirail, Gigondas La Combe Sauvage

60% Grenache  40% Mourvedre only 5,000b produced

Dense, ripe black fruit with layers of pepper, spice and tar    mouthfilling ripe tannins   fine now with food and will become more expressive with age

 

 

 

 

 

2013 Chateau de Montmirail, Gigondas Cuvee Saint Maurice

50% Grenache  35% Syrah  15% Mourvedre

Old vines    aged in new barrels with medium toast

Dark, bright color   aromas of sweet, black fruit and toasty oak   layered dense and rich

Will improve with age