Merlot
The vintage
In the Languedoc, the cold, wet winter, very wet spring, and substantial rain in June, brought the benefit of well-replenished groundwater reserves, and the inconvenience of rampant mildew that affected certain areas in the region.
Thanks to a very hot summer punctuated by regular, short spells of rain, accompanied by dry air and favourable temperatures with a marked difference between day and night-time temperatures, the characteristic of the vintage that will be most remembered is the exceptional quality of the harvest.
This propitious weather enabled the grapes to be picked at optimal ripeness. During the harvests, the Syrah stood out as having flourished in this vintage’s slightly unusual weather conditions. 2018 presented all the characteristics of a fine vintage at Aussières and in the Languedoc generally.
Once again this year, this Val de L'Ours Merlot is blend of the Domaine's wines and wines selected from the best terroirs for Merlot in the Languedoc.
Location
The estate is nestled in the rugged hills just behind the Mediterranean coastline of Narbonne, in the South of France.
Terroir
The soils are very shallow and rocky on the slopes, and deeper and sandy on the plain. Yields are voluntarily kept very low in order to preserve the vines and ensure the production of high quality grapes.
The grapes come from flatter, lower lying parts of the estate where the deeper soils with underlying sandysilt provide the optimal growing conditions for grape varieties more associated with the Bordeaux region : Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Winemaking
Grapes are harvested before daylight when temperatures are at their lowest. After a few hours of cold maceration, they are pressed and fermented at low temperature in stainless steel tanks to preserve their aromatic potential. The wine is aged in tanks in order to retain the purity of the fruit.
Tasting
Beautiful deep, dark red with glints of crimson.
The nose opens with notes of pomegranate and blackberries, characteristic of this grape variety in the Languedoc.
On the palate, after a clean, direct attack with the same black fruit, the wine develops good volume and evolves towards liquorice and slightly peppery notes; the finish is long with pleasant sensation of freshness.
The very appealing, crisp style of this Merlot offers an excellent expression of the 2018 vintage.
Grapes
Merlot
: 100 %