Bottle Shot Label Presentation Sheet Tech Sheet
90 PTS LES ANCIENS 2012
Les Anciens comes from very old-vine, goblet-trained Carignan vines. Showing the best of the variety, with classic black cherry, saddle leather, wild herbs and exotics spices, it flows onto the palate with a big, voluptuous texture that carries polished tannin and rocking length. Staying fresh and lively, and not skimping on fruit or texture, it’s a great Carignan to enjoy over the coming 5-7 years, if not longer.
93 PTS LAS COMBES 2011
There's a lovely breadth of flavor on the palate and, depending on your mood, you can either enjoy the fresh, fruit-forward nature of the wine or, take more time to revel in its more subtle side which reveals a savory edge with hints of mocha too. An extremely good food wine, we like to drink it with wholesome, flavorful but unfussy fare.
When asked about the Continuite de Nature, our winemaker Ben replied that “I picked it as ripe as possible on October 10th, simply put it in a tank and closed the door… There’s no doubt it will continue to improve over the next five years.” The juice is vinified in oak conical oak foudre and aged in 100% in oak vats for 18 months. The Continuité de Nature is very expressive and complex, very attractive in the mouth with firm yet silky tannins. It is extremely aromatic, spicy with a fabulously generous weight.
The Vintage
Dry until May when we were fortunate to get 110mm of rain that was to prove important in the intensely dry months that followed. We used biodynamic plant infusions in the vineyard (chamomile, nettle…). Limited trimming also prevented vine stress. Harvest began, in the sunshine on the 15th September. Syrah was the first to be picked and we finished – still with the sun in the sky – with the Grenache on the 7th October.
The harvest was a little stop and start as we worked to ensure we were the picking the grapes when they were at optimal ripeness.
The weather was perfect and the ripening period was slow; both of which helped give us fabulously concentrated, small-berried grapes that allowed us to produce wines that are amongst the best we have ever made at Château Maris.
The wines are concentrated with elegance and depth. Aromatically they have real complexity with floral and mineral notes and real freshness. It has been an especially successful vintage for grenache that has achieved the complexity and concentration of the great Southern Rhones…
The Soils
Dark brown and red coloured soils.
The grapes for this wine come from vineyards planted on hard and soft limestone and alluvial soils. The texture is balanced and is light at the top, becoming increasingly heavy the deeper you go. The vertical clay migration reduces the carbon levels.
The Varieties
90% carignan 10% Grenache
This Vineyard was planted in 1922.
The Wine
Vinification : The juice is vinified in oak tanks and during the four week-long maceration is gently pumped over with some punching of the cap.
Ageing : 100% in oak vats for 18 months.
Tasting Note :
Appearance : Very even and deep red and garnet colour. Bright with deep purple hints.
Nose : Open and expressive with great complexity. There are ripe black fruits (blackcurrants, elderberries) alongside more spicy characteristics (pepper, herbs)
Palate : Very attractive in the mouth with firm yet silky tannins. Aromatic, spicy with a fabulously generous weight. The finish is long and delicate.
AT : 3.75g/l
PH : 3.48
SR : 2g/l
91-93 Pts 2013 Les Anciens Carignan (Formerly Continuité de Nature)
WINE ADVOCATE #218 (APR. 2015) JEB DUNNUCK
I loved the 2013 Minervois la Livinière 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.
J’ai aimé Les Anciens 2013 car ce 100% Carignan aromatique et rocailleux à la robe violette, au nez prune fraiche et petits fruits, les laisse tous sur le carreau. Charnu, harmonieux, profil élégant, c’est la marque de fabrique de ce millésime; les tanins sont fins, le palais superbe. Il pourra se boire dès sa sortie avec une longévité de 5-‐7 ans.