Description
St Jean d’Aumières
Heading West from Montpelier towards the beautiful old monastery at Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, you will come across the small market town of Gignac. The picturesque Château d’Aumières is just outside the town. It consists of 40 hectares, abutting onto the vineyard of the world-famous Mas de Daumas Gassac, and into the mountainous Terrasses du Larzac where they have 15 hectares. They share some of the same terroir that has made the Cabernet Sauvignon of Mas de Daumas Gassac so highly sought after. Even Robert Mondavi from the Napa Valley tried (and failed) to buy land here.
It was here that we met Vianney Castan, the fourth-generation winemaker from a family who have been making wines in the South of France since 1907. In 2013 recognising the huge potential of the vineyard and its terroir he purchased Château d’Aumières. Over the previous decade the vineyard had struggled to survive with a number of different owners. Vianney acquired an eclectic palate of grape varieties, ranging from the Bordelaise Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, to the Southern varieties of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan. He immediately invested heavily in new vinification equipment. At the same time he installed a dynamic young team to bring this vineyard into the 21st century.
Vianney drove us around the beautiful vineyard in his faithful Land-Rover Defender, and showed us how he has beautifully restored the old château, which it is now very much a home to his young family.
This is our fourth shipment and we were especially impressed by the new vintages and the multiple awards they have won since our last visit.
If you click on the link below you can see firsthand why this is one our current favourite vineyards.
A brief video tour of St Jean d’Aumières
We are offering a Mixed Case of three bottles of each of the following –
Château Saint Jean d’Aumières, L’Affranchi 2020
IGP Saint Guilhem le Désert
Vianney has dramatically reworked this cuvée. It is now an exotic mix of 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Carignan, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Marselan, 5% Cinsault, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot!
He uses whole bunch fermentation for the Carignan, a traditional method, which tends to lower the alcohol level and enhance freshness. Partial oak ageing adds complexity. The overall effect is to enhance the silkiness of the tannins.
The results are outstanding! Deep in colour, there is a nose of intense fruit and wild herbs. This opens out into a concentrated mouthful of soft plum, blackberry and fig, with silky tannins and a hint of liquorice at the finish. Gorgeous now but will improve over the next two years!
Retailing elsewhere for £12.
Château Saint Jean d’Aumières, L’Alchimiste 2019
AOP Terrasses du Larzac
This vineyard inhabits a dramatic mountainous landscape of the Terrasses du Larzac, which has recently gained its own appellation in recognition of the wonderful terroir-based wines from the region.
The blend is 45% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 15% Carignan. To add complexity, while maintaining the purity of the fruit, the wine is aged for 12 months in oak barrels.
The resulting wine is medium in colour with a nose of black fruits with a hint of coconut and menthol. The palate is bursting with black fruits. It is concentrated but very silky and elegant with a hint of liquorice at the finish. There is very little tannin and great length.
It has achieved widespread acclaim – not least from Robert Parker!
Retailing elsewhere for £16.20!
