Chateau Maris Les Anciens Carignan 2013
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Robert
Parker -
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
I loved the 2013 Minervois la Liviniere les Anciens, and this blend of 100% Carignan knocks it out of the park with its liquid violet, crushed rock, peppery herbs and fresh plum and berry fruits. Medium to full-bodied, with a seamless, elegant profile that the hallmark of the vintage, it has fine tannin and a great mid-palate. It should drink nicely on release and have 5-7 years of longevity. Range: 91-93
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Wine & Spirits
From vines planted in 1922, the fruit fermented in concrete tanks and open wooden vats, this is tough, tangy carignan, the fruit tart and red, like seedy raspberries laced with earthy spice. The tannin ropes through the wine like gristle in a steak, the wine chewy without being heavy. For carignan, it’s almost elegant.
Other Vintages
2015-
Robert
Parker
Chateau Maris is the vision of Englishman Robert Eden, who emigrated to France over 20 years ago to pursue his dream of crafting wines that reflect, rather than mask the land on which the grapes are grown. Robert's approach to winemaking is based on the fundamental premise that wine is "grown", not "made".
To craft wines that reveal the true character of the land, Chateau Maris strictly adheres to biodynamics, which is in effect a supercharged system of organic farming. Similar to organic farming, biodynamics adopts a holistic approach that views the entire vineyard as a living system that is impacted by its surroundings. Biodynamics seeks to encourage vitality in the vineyard by introducing live matter into the soil through intensive composting. In addition, biodynamics places a strong emphasis on harnessing naturally occurring cycles.
The entire estate is certified Organic as well as certified Biodynamic, using homeopathic preparations instead of chemicals on its land. The cellar itself is the only building in existence constructed entirely with hemp blocks and contains no paint, no plastic, no chemicals. Thanks to the geothermal properties of hemp, the cellar has no heating nor cooling system, making the project not only energy self-sufficient but making the project one of the few carbon-negative constructions in the world.
Responsible for some of the most stunning old vine red wine on the planet, Carignan has an amazing capacity to survive dry, arid climates and still produce lovely, mouthwatering wine. In Spain it goes by the name of Mazuelo or Cariñena and while it may have originated there in the province of Aragón, its popularity lies elsewhere, particularly in Languedoc-Roussillon. Somm Secret—Historically Carignan did not enjoy the respect that it does today. In the mid 20th century, Carignan covered nearly 140,000 ha in Algeria, where it was made into low quality bulk and blending wine to supply mass-market demand.
Granted its own appellation within Minervois in the Languedoc region of France, Minervois La Livinière takes its name from cella vinaria, Latin for ‘wine cellar.’ In the hilly northern end of Minervois, the altitude and dense, rocky limestone soils of La Liviniere produce quality red Rhône Blends made from Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache and Carignan.