Château de Pibarnon Rouge AOC 2020

Wine Description for Château de Pibarnon Rouge AOC 2020 by Château de Pibarnon

Colour & Appearance

An intense, dense purple-red with bright violet reflections in the glass.

Nose

An ethereal, almost floating scent hovers above the glass. It combines floral and herbal notes of lavender, roses, mint and juniper with the ripe fruit of cherries, plums, blackberries and a touch of elderberries. Nuances of blood oranges and a hint of fine vanilla round off this extremely attractive, modern picture.

Palate

On the palate, after sufficient aeration, the wine reveals itself as a true charmer. The striking, lively acidity structure and the firm tannin backbone are masterfully balanced by a seductive melange of black cherry, crisp plum, liquorice, cinnamon and tonka bean. A cool, fresh vein runs through the dense texture, ensuring immense elegance.

Finish

The finish is carried by fine pepper, dark blossoms like violets and an impressive, aristocratic length.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes ripen at an altitude of 250 metres in a spectacular amphitheatre of vines opening up towards the Mediterranean. The centuries-old stone terraces (restanques) shape this unique microclimate. The soil consists of rare, blue Triassic marl, clay and limestone with prehistoric fossils – a geology that gives the wine its noble structure.

Grape Variety & Vinification

This cuvée consists of 90% Mourvèdre and 10% Grenache, harvested with low yields of approx. 30 hl/ha. After a three-week fermentation, the wine matures parcel by parcel for over 20 months in bespoke barriques, tonneaux and large foudres of various origins.

Food Pairings

Excellent with hearty meat dishes such as rib-eye medium rare with rosemary butter and jacket potatoes or a juicy grilled rack of lamb with thyme and rosemary. Vegetarians can pair it with an intensely savoury wild mushroom ragout with Usukuchi Shoyu.

Special Features

This wine comes from certified organic farming (since 2019). Stylistically, Éric de Saint Victor showcases here the highly elegant, almost Burgundian-velvety side of Mourvèdre, which is otherwise often considered unruly. A long-lived, monumental wine that exerts an irresistible, sensual fascination even in its youth.