France – Domaine Monts et Merveilles Page Blanche 2013

Domaine and vineyard

 

The domaine Monts et Merveilles is above all the story of Laure and Julien. She manager of wine cellar, sommelier him, they decide to settle in the Minervois, in the Languedoc region, to undertake an activity that is not simply a winery but also an environmental education center where retrieve a direct contact with nature.

The first vintage is 2012, lived as a big party with the joint participation of relatives, friends and neighbors winemakers. Winegrowers who dispense advice, lend tools, provide parts of their cellars to this pair of dreamers to help them realize their project. After the first harvest the "solidarity" of local producers has not failed to help Laure and Julien create their wines.

The vineyard covers a total area of ​​4.20 hectares divided into 5 parcels. The grape varieties are Syrah, Grenache Noir, Carignan Noir, Marsanne and Roussanne. The work in the vineyard is oriented to the maximum respect for nature and the overall conduct of the vineyard is organic and biodynamic.

The wine

The Domaine Monts et Merveilles Page Blanche 2013 is a 100% Marsanne. The grapes, once harvested, ferment and mature during 13 months on their lees, partly in amphoras, partly in old barrels to reduce the impact of the wood on the final taste. This wine has been produced only once and in very limited quantities (500 bottles) so it is not available on the market but it can be tasted at the domaine.

Tasting Note

Date	23 February 2016
Wine name	PAGE BLANCHE	Vintage	2013
Nation	France	Region	Languedoc
AOC-DOC	//	Grape Varieties	100 % Marsanne
Serving temperature	10-12° C	Alcohol	13
Price (in euro)	22	SO2 (in mg/l)	Nd

Visual Examination		Taste analysis
Limpidity	Quite  Limpid	Body	Full
Color	Straw yellow	Balance	Balanced
Consistency	Quite consistent	Soft sensations	Quite Warm – Quiet Soft
Effervescence	//	Hard sensations	Quite Fresh – Quite tasty
		Flavors intensity	Intense
Olfactory analysis		Flavours	Pear, Ginger, Lemon
Aroma intensity	Intense
Complexity	Complex	Finish/Persistence	Persistent
Quality	Fine	Overall evaluations
Aromas	Ginseng, Ginger, Pear	Development	Ready
	Citrus	Harmony	Harmonious

Food and wine pairing

Rich dishes made with fish or white meat, even better if prepared with curry or other oriental spices. Good pairing with young cheese.

I had it with a codfish fillet in coconut’s milk and curry sauce … wonderful. 

A really uncommon wine. What you pour in your glass it’s not just a wonderful nectar but also the story and the dreams of a couple of wine makers. Amphora, old barrels, long maceration on the lees: many little arrangements to create a unique taste, without denaturizing the grape itself.

The wine is not filtered and that light veil in the glass reminds it to us. The evolution of aromas is really pleasant: the sweetness of the pear, the exotic of ginseng, the spicy of the ginger. In the mouth the taste is delightful, a wise mix of sweet and dry at the same time. The finish is spicy with notes of ginger and lemon and the back taste persistent and very nice. The pairing with oriental style, lightly spiced, dishes has made the wine even better.

The Page Blanche 2013 is not on the market anymore but when I contacted the winemakers they agreed to sell me 2 of the last 18 bottles they had in their cellar. Really a unique experience.

Official website: www.domainemontsetmerveilles.com