2009 Chateau Maris La Touge Syrah

Minervois lies in a vast area of Southern France broadly referred to as the Languedoc-Roussillon. Englishman, Robert Eden emigrated here after he fell in love with the beauty and 'wildness' of the Minervois, in particular, the little-known village of La Livinière. The surrounding vineyards were the very first in the Languedoc to be granted permission to put the village name on the label, alongside AOC Minervois. It's an official recognition of the quality that these vineyards are capable of.

A wonderful new discovery.
Eden didn't need convincing. He has since indulged his passion for winemaking creating a range of powerful, succulent reds with delicious darkfruit flavours from a 60 hectare plot of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan. Following in the footsteps of some of France's top estates, including Domaine Zind-Humbrecht in Alsace, Domaine des Comtes Lafon and Domaine Leflaive in Burgundy & M.Chapoutier in the Rhone, Chateau Maris insists on a strong commitment to what some consider an insane regime of biodynamics. The estate is now certified. Jancis Robinson MW rates this wine amongst the top 10 value reds from the Languedoc. No doubt Steiner would be proud of that. The 2009 La Touge is a blend of 85% Syrah and 15% Grenache, all from limestone and alluvial soils, aged for 12 months in 30% new oak prior to being bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Opaque black dark crimson red colour with deep dark crimson red hue. Aromas of blackberry, liquorice, some smoky characters, dried meats and spice. Full bodied the palate delivers generous liquorice, black plum and black cherry flavours followed by some underlying meaty characters and a spicy earth back palate. Firmish tannins provide excellent support to the layers of supple fruit. Superb length. Long black cherry, liquorice, earthy meat like characters and spice aftertaste.
Cellar 4-5 years (2016-2017).
Alc 14.5%