Vindemiatrix, Côtes des Catalanes 2018

Wine Description for Vindemiatrix Côtes des Catalanes 2018 by Georg Meissner

Colour & Appearance

Deep, muted garnet red with lively violet reflections – a wine that already tells of depth and character in the glass.

Nose

The nose is dark and seductive: blackberry, blueberry, sloe and ripe damson form the aromatic foundation. With air, a fascinating complexity unfolds – peat, freshly ground black pepper and a hint of vanilla join in, accompanied by floral notes of wild violets and roses. Something primordial, almost archaic, hangs in the air.

Palate

On the tongue, this Southern French wine surprises with an elegance and cool finesse one would more readily expect from Burgundy. The moderate alcohol of 12.5% keeps everything in balance – not a gram of overripeness, no heaviness. Instead: precision, juiciness and a drinking flow that is barely to be stopped.

Finish

Long, spicy and carried by fine tannin structure. The finish resonates with dark berries and a hint of pepper and earth – sustained and pleasantly dry.

Terroir & Origin

The vines grow on a terraced vineyard site in Roussillon, nestled between stone walls, rock and forest – a vineyard once destined for clearing and now tended by Georg Meissner with remarkable dedication. Yields of around 9 hl/ha are vanishingly small – a sure sign of concentration and quality.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pure Carignan, planted in 1899 – these ancient vines with over 120 years of rootedness in the Catalan slate and rocky subsoil tell a story that no young wine can tell. Deep-reaching roots, minimal yields, maximal expression.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Excellent with wild boar terrine with green pepper and baguette, but also with grilled aubergines with olive oil, rosemary and thyme – a rare wine that ennobles both meat and vegetables equally. For the adventurous: red mullet with beef marrow, red wine sauce and fennel-tomato-olive ragout.

Special Features

The name Vindemiatrix – the proper name of the star Epsilon Virginis – alludes to the Roman tradition of interpreting its rising in the sky as a signal for the beginning of the vintage. A wine with cosmic ambition, which fulfils this in an impressive manner. Bravo, Georg Meissner.