Sept 23rd 2016. Wine&Spirits Magazine has just announced that Chateau Maris is one of the Top100 wineries in the world for 2016 ! Join us at Cityview in San Francisco on October 10th for the Top100 Tasting
Top Value Producers by LAUREN BUZZEO, Oct. 2016
A selection of the best values and better surprises.
Le Monde Daily Newspaper. August 30th 2016
Languedoc
Chateau Maris La Livinière “Les Planels” 2012
A beautiful bottle hailing from a Biodynamic estate best paired with an exeptional dish such as a seven hours’ lamb roast. Ready to drink now thanks to its velvety structure and sensuousness. A delight.
2015 Chateau Maris "Nymphe Emue Rosé" Languedoc, France
"Pale baby pink in the glass, this wine smells of rosehips, citrus peel and red berries. In the mouth, the wine is exceedingly silky in texture with flavors of strawberry, rosehip, and hibiscus that seem to only acquire the zip and tang I want after 20 seconds or so of a berry scented finish. The acidity just creeps up on you, but before them, the wine offers something of a creamy berry texture. Quite tasty. 12.5% alcohol. Closed with a glass stopper. Score: between 8.5 and 9." Alder Yarrow
Amandiers 2013 takes a gold medal in the "Syrah du Monde" competion this year!
April 29th 2016
"Chateau Maris is a great place to start for readers looking to explore the Languedoc. These wines are all beautifully made and have tons of character, and in most cases, represent rock solid values."
89-92 pts 2014 Brama Grenache Gris "has real depth"
89-91 pts 2014 Les Anciens "zippy, fresh, complex"
89-91 Pts Las Combes "sexy, supple, beautifully textured"
91-93 Pts Dynamic "Gorgeously polished"
92-94 Pts Les Amandiers "a head turner that does everything right."
Brama Grenache Gris 2014
89-92 Pts
The 2014 IGP Pays d’Oc Brama Blanc is 100% Grenache Gris and comes all from limestone and clay soils. Possessing both texture and freshness, it offers lots of spiced apple, citrus and brioche in a medium-bodied, yet concentrated style. It’s far from a simple quaffer and has real depth. It also shows the potential for Grenache Gris in the Languedoc.
Old School Rouge 2015
87-88 Pts
Moving to the reds, the value-priced 2015 Minervois Old School is a delicious mid-week drinker that offers plenty of juicy berry fruit, licorice and herbs in a bistro-styled, textured, easy-going package. It’s best enjoyed over the coming year or three.
La Touge 2014
87-88 Pts
The Syrah dominated 2014 Minervois Syrah la Touge is another rock-solid effort from this estate that represents a terrific value. Blackberries, blueberries, spice and pepper all emerge from this medium-bodied, forward, deliciously textured 2014 that will drink nicely for 3-5 years.
Les Anciens 2014
89-91 Pts
A mix of Carignan and Grenache, the 2014 Minervois la Liviniere les Anciens is a zippy, fresh, complex effort that gives up ample black and blue fruits, lots of crushed herbs, mint, and a kiss of game on both the nose and palate. Medium-bodied, fresh and lively, with the acid profile of Carignan, it should come together nicely once in bottle and keep through 2022.
Las Combes 2014
89-92 Pts
The 2014 Minervois la Liviniere Las Combes is the Grenache-dominated cuvee and incorporates 15% Syrah and a splash of Carignan. Aged 16 months in concrete eggs, it has lots of minerality as well as black and blue fruits, violets, flowers, and garrigue aromas and flavors. Drink this sexy, supple, beautifully textured 2014 on release and over the following 7-8 years.
Les Planels 2014
90-92 Pts
A killer value is the 2014 Minervois La Liviniere Les Planels. Made from Syrah, Carignan and Grenache that was completely destemmed (as are all of the releases form Chateau Maris), it shows a darker, smokier profile to go with notions of cassis, scorched earth, graphite and earth on the nose. Aged 12 months in barrel, followed by six months in concrete, it has solid mid-palate density, nicely integrated acidity, excellent overall balance and a clean, dry finish, all suggesting it will have 8-10 years of overall longevity.
Syrah Dynamic 2014
91-93 Pts
A new wine, the 2014 Minervois la Liviniere Syrah is about as voluptuous and sexy as they coming in the vintage. Its inky purple color is followed by fabulous notes of cassis, liquid blackberries, salted meats and spice. Gorgeously polished, concentrated, with no hard edges, and a great finish, it will no doubt shine right out of the gate, yet I suspect it will age gracefully as well on its balance and purity.
Les Amandiers 2014
92-94 Pts
Almost always my favorite cuvee from Robert, the 2014 Minervois la Liviniere les Amandiers is a head turner that does everything right. Black raspberries, olives, licorice, lavender and exotic spice all emerge from the glass, and this medium to full-bodied beauty has both elegance and texture. It will have 10-12 years of overall longevity.
April 30th Issue
90 Pts Chateau Maris La Liviniere Les Planels 2012
There's a freshness behind the savory spice and meat notes in this medium-bodied red, with bright red berry, plum and bitter chocolate flavors pushing through mid-palate. Grippy tannins define the zesty, herb tinged finish. Drink now through 2018. 1,100 cases made. G.S.
90 Pts Chateau Maris Vin de France Brama 2013
Aromatic white blossom, spice and tangerine notes lead the way in this vibrant, fresh white. Peach cream, mineral and candied basil accent mingle on the lingering finish, Drink now, 120 cases made, G.S.
Wine Spectator : The Languedoc On the Cutting Edge. November 30th 2015
The Wine Enthusiast: The Best of the Languedoc, October 2015
Top 10 Organic Wines. N° 3: Chateau Maris 2012 Brama
Rating: 14.5/20
"Chateau Maris is a certified biodynamic and organic winery that has taken green to the next level, constructing the winery building out of organic hemp-straw bricks that capture carbon dioxide as they age and harden. Made from 100 percent Grenache Gris, the 2012 Brama boasts a fresh palate featuring flavors of tropical fruits, honeysuckle, lemon and buttered almonds."
Wine Advocate #218 (Apr. 2015) Jeb Dunnuck
91 Pts 2013 Le Carignan de Maris “beautiful purity”
90 Pts 2012 La Touge “textured and seamless beauty”
90 Pts 2012 Natural Selection
91 Pts 2013 La Touge
91 Pts 2013 Natural Selection
88 Pts 2013 Old School Rouge “delicious and easy going”
91-93 Pts 2013 Las Combes Grenache “brilliant and vibrant”
91-93 Pts 2013 Les Anciens Carignan “knocks it out of the park”
91-93 Pts 2013 Les Planels Syrah “gorgeous purity”
92-94 Pts 2013 Les Amandiers “worth the effort to track down”
One of my favorite estates in the Languedoc, Chateau Maris is run by the talented and gregarious Brit, Robert Eden, who is the driving force behind the push toward biodynamic and sustainable farming in the region. He’s gone as far as building his new winery out of massive hemp “bricks”, and it’s a fabulous visit. Located in the heart of the Minervois, in the Cru of La Livinière, The estate produces a bevy of wines, all of which are reasonably priced, and in most cases, represent incredible values. Readers could do much worse than buying a mixed case of these wines, and they’re a great example of high quality wines from this special terroir.
91 Pts 2013 Le Carignan de Maris
A great example of the variety, the 2013 Minervois Carignan de Maris offers classic plum and purple-like fruit, spring flowers, crushed rock and hints of charcoal to go with medium to full-bodied richness, beautiful purity and surprisingly polished tannin, which isn’t easy to do with 100% Carignan. Aged 10-12 months in concrete tank, drink this beauty over the coming 4-5 years
90 Pts 2013 La Touge/Natural Selection
I found the 2013 Minervois la Livinière La Touge very Rhone-like, with subtle leather, spice and garrigue mixed with plenty or raspberry and blackberry fruit. Forward, supple and fruit loaded, with medium-bodied richness, it will drink nicely on release and evolve through 2021. The blend here is Syrah and Grenache that’s aged all in large oak tanks.
J’ai trouvé que La Touge avait un côté Rhône, robe souple, mélange d’épices et de parfums de garrigue gorge de framboises et mûres. En bouche: souple, du fruit, charnu sans excès ; ce vin évoluera tranquillement jusqu’en 2021. Elevage en cuves tronconiques pour cet assemblage Syrah-‐Grenache.
90 Pts 2012 La Touge/Natural Selection
A wine I tasted last year, the single vineyard 2012 Minervois la Liviniere la Touge (60/40 Syrah Grenache) showed even better this go around. Ripe blackberry, pepper, ground herbs and licorice and emerge from this medium to full-bodied, textured and seamless beauty. Drink it anytime over the coming 4-5 years.
Un vin gouté l’an dernier, La Touge a révélé au mieux son évolution. Mûres, poivre, herbe coupée et réglisse, voici ce qu’il resort de vin charnu, harmonieux et dote d’une élégante texture. A
Boire à tout moment dans les 4-‐5 ans.
88 Pts 2013 Old School
The most quaffable and forward in the lineup, the 2013 Minervois Old School Rouge is a delicious, easy going blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan. It gives up plenty of dark fruits, pepper and smoky, meaty notes to go with juicy acidity on the palate. It won’t make old bones but is ideal as a mid-week drinker.
91-93 Pts 2013 Las Combes Grenache
The 2013 Minervois la Livinière Las Combes is also brilliant and checks in as 100% Grenache that’s brought up all in concrete eggs. It offers lots of crunchy purple fruits, spring flowers and violet qualities to go with a medium to full-bodied, firm, focused and yet concentrated feel on the palate. You can really see the concrete élevage here and this is vibrant and tense, with a great finish. It should evolve nicely for a year or three and drink well through 2023.
Le Las Combes 2013 est aussi brillant; notes de violette et fleurs de printemps, un pur Grenache croquant, charnu et concentré élevé dans les oeufs Nomblot. On peut concrètement sentir ici
Le travail d’élevage dans les vibrations et la tension de ce vin qui offer une belle finale. Se bonifiera dans les 3ans avec une limite de garde à 2023.
91-93 Pts 2013 Les Anciens Carignan (Formerly Continuité de Nature)
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.
91-93 Pts 2013 Les Planels Syrah
A selection of the best parcels of Syrah, the 2013 Minervois La Livinière Les Planels should be brilliant. Inky purple in color, with classic Syrah darker fruits, violets, pepper and minerality, it’s full-bodied, with gorgeous purity, integrated acidity and a beautiful elegance about it that keeps you coming back to the glass. Aged in both 600-liter and smaller 225-liter barrels, this is a classy Minervois that will have upwards of a decade of overall longevity.
Une selection des meilleures parcelles de Syrah, Les Planels 2013 devrait être brillant. Rubis pourpre, fruits mûrs, une Syrah classique poivrée et minérale aux notes de violette; c’est plein et
Charnu avec une magnifique pureté, peu d’acidité et une belle élégance qui vous font revenir vers votre verre. Elevé en barriques de 600 et 225 litres, c’est un Cru La Livinière de grande classe qui s’améliorera encore pendant 10 ans.
92-94 Pts 2013 Les Amandiers
The 2013 Minervois la Livinière Les Amandiers is a smoking Syrah that was brought up all in smaller barrels. It has lots of sweet purple fruits, violets, underbrush and wood smoke to go with medium to full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannin and superb purity of fruit. There’s a scant 3,000 bottles made, but it should be worth the effort to track down.
Les Amandiers 2013 est une Syrah en tenue de gala élevée en petits contenants. Onctueux, parfum de violette et de sous-‐bois, ce vin ample et plein aux tanins subtiles offer un fruit d’une pureté superbe. Seulement 3.000 bouteilles sortiront du chai, il restera difficile à trouver.
Jancis Robinson, September 2015
17 Pts 2012 Brama Grenache Gris
Maris, Brama 2012 Vin de France Single-vineyard of old Grenache Gris vines. Dramatic combination of concentration and acidity with strong passion fruit and broom aromas with a light acacia honey undertow although it gives the impression of being bone dry. Very tense and thrilling with far more acidity than you would expect of a three-year-old wine. Perhaps the vineyard is relatively high altitude. Older vintages of this wine seem to be particularly well distributed in the US, from $34 a bottle. A fair price.
16 Pts 2012 Las Combes
Quite a dark crimson for a Grenache. Meaty, appetising nose. Sweet start and winning spiciness. Already accessible but with fine tannins (though not too aggressive dryness) underneath. Savoury and serious.
2015 Best Languedoc-Roussillon wines
90 Pts Chateau Maris Brama Grenache Gris 2012
highest rated white Languedoc-Roussillon
For this White, Chateau Maris separates out the Grenache Gris that’s interplanted with the noirs in his 77 year old vineyard and fermented in barrel. While the 2012 could use a little more time in bottle to fully incorporate the oak, it’s opulent and delicious, a silky, rich wine with toasty almond flavors and saline minerality.
91 Pts Chateau Maris Las Combes Grenache 2011
highest rated Red Languedoc-Roussillon
60 year old vines planted in a vineyard paved with large chunks of limestone, this is Grenache with verve and drive. It sings with red cherry flavors, tangy and fresh, while the tannins chunnel through the wine, meaty and lightly gritty, holding the flavors strong,
90 Pts Chateau Maris La Touge 2011
Best Buy
Mainly Syrah with 15% Grenache, fermented in a combination of oak foudres and cement, this is a firm and dark, a little while in the sweet tart punch of its blackberry flavors. The tannins give it a gravely grip, suited to a roast leg of lamb
88 Pts Chateau Maris Syrah Les Planels 2011
best Buy
From a vineyard planted in 1982, this Syrah is lush and spicy, bolstered by generous lashing and vanilla from oak. After a few days open, the wood tones subside and firm, ferrous minerality comes up, suggesting this will do well with a few years in the bottle.
88 Pts Chateau Maris Syrah Les Planels 2010
Best Buy
Drink the 2010 Les Planels while you are waiting for the 2011 to incorporate its oak barrel tones; this vintage already has the flavors focused on licorice and plums, herbal spice giving the dark flavors lift.
2014 Decanter World Wine Wine Awards. Silver Medal
Château Maris Les Vieilles Vignes 2011 (La Touge in North America). June 2014.
Precise nose of violet pepper, tapenade, thyme, a real class act. Bright and ripe primary fruit of black berries, flowers and violet. Round, fresh, elegant with powdery tannins and a distinguished generous character. Excellent value.
A Story Of Two Piles Of Manure : Château Maris by Jamie Drummond. Toronto. canada. apr. 2015
Click here for video
Minervois Winemaker Robert Eden is one of those rare birds, a biodynamic acolyte with a personality just as affable, rich, vibrant, complex, and engaging as his Château Maris wines.
From his first biodynamic experiments concerning, as he so concisely puts it, “two piles of shit”, to the fully biodynamic operation he runs down in the Languedoc today, Robert Eden’s wines are a living testament to what is possible when one couples Rudolph Steiner’s philosophies (e.g. understanding that the vine has a soul equal to your own) and less-than-conventional practices (e.g. let’s bury this cow horn full of cow dung just over here) with a healthy dose of good old-fashioned pragmatism.
Jancis Robinson, May 26th 2014
"Continuite de Nature" 2011 Minervois-La Livinière
17 Drink 2014-2018
90% Carignan, 10% Grenache, planted in 1922. Aged in oak vats for 18 months. Very heady purple fruit and very luscious. Rich and opulent - elderberry flavours with a hint of gaminess. Just a little savage on the finish but with masses of pleasure.
Excellent balance. Great vibrancy and persistence. Flamboyant.
"Brama" 2011 Vin de France
17.5 Drink 2013-2017
50- to 70-year-old 100% Grenache Gris from a single parcel but the wine doesn't seem to qualify for any known appellation or Vin de Pays...?
Bit of a walk on the wild (but not crazy) side but the most interesting and distinctive wine in this range. Really interesting tense cocktail of flavours such as tangerine peel, acacia honey, lime, and a great combination of body and acidity. Lovely tension. Real complexity. So much more interesting than the average white burgundy. Throbs on the finish. Very good. Very expensive.
"Las Combes" 2011 Minervois-La Livinière
16.5 Drink 2014-2017
60-year-old Grenache grown at 300 m.
Mid bright ruby. Quite complex, evolved and layered nose. Real freshness on the palate with a breadth of ripe, but not overripe, fruit. Exciting spice and herbs with lift on the finish, together with a slightly gamey note. Is there some old Carignan in here? Could be some Mourvèdre too!
Ch Maris, La Touge 2011 Minervois-La Livinière
16 Drink 2014-2017
85% Syrah and 15% Grenache grown on hard and soft limestone and alluvial soils. Vinification in concrete and conical oak foudres. Aged for 12 months in 30% new oak and the rest in two- and three-year-old barrels.
Savoury, toasty, lip-smacking nose. Easy to like already with good balance and freshness. Just a little heat and sweetness on the finish but overall an attractive, only very slightly 'made' wine. Lightly herbal.
The Wine Advocate, Jeb Dunnuck, May 2014 PDF
91 Pts 'La Touge' 2011
93 Pts ‘Continuite de Nature’ 2011
93 Pts ‘Las Combes’ 2011
92 Pts 'Les Amandiers' 2011
93 Pts Brama' Grenache Gris 2013
93 Pts 'Limited Edition' 2011
92 Pts 'Les Planels' 2012
90 Pts Les Anciens 2012
90 Pts Brama Grenache Gris 2012
87 Pts Le Carignan de Maris 2012
86 Pts Old School Rouge 2012
87 Pts Old School Rose
87 Pts Old School Blanc 2013
89 Pts La Touge 2012
90+ Pts Les Planels 2011
91 Pts Las Combes 2012
Located in the windswept, rolling hills of the Minervois, just outside the village of La Livinière, Chateau Maris is run by the affable and gregarious Robert Eden, whom I had a fantastic visit with during my trip through the region.
Staunchly biodynamic and green conscious, Robert went as far as building their new winery out of thick compress straw (hemp to be exact) bricks. In addition, they farm select vineyards using estate-owned work horses.
Focusing on the wines, they’re impressive across the board and offer serious levels of fruit and texture, while staying fresh, balanced and very drinkable. They also represent superb values in most cases.
91 Pts 'La Touge' 2011
The single vineyard 2011 Minervois La Touge is a smoking effort that gives up perfumed kirsch, toasted spice and licorice aromas and flavors in a medium to full-bodied, voluptuous and textured package. It has a great mid-palate, loads of fruit and a beautifully balanced, layered feel. It will have 8-10 years of ultimate longevity.
93 Pts 'Continuite de Nature' 2011
As with the 2012, the 2011 Carignan Continuite de Nature 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
The 2011 Minervois La Liviniere Las Combes (100% Grenache) shows a perfumed, red fruit-driven style, with copious strawberry, kirsch, spice, ground herbs and hints of licorice to go with a medium-bodied, seamless and layered feel on the palate. I love the overall profile here, and this awesome Grenache has real class. Drink it over the coming 6-8 years.
More expensive, yet still an excellent value, the 2012 Combes is 100% Grenache that was fermented and aged in older wood. Strawberry, blackberry, kirsch, licorice, and spice all show here, and this medium bodied, rounded, supple and beautifully textured 2012 will impress over the coming 4-5 years.
92 Pts 'Les Amandiers' 2011
The 2011 Minervois La Liviniere Les Almondiers is a textbook Syrah that exhibits brilliant dark fruits, spice box, chocolate and subtle nutty nuances that flow to a full-bodied, structured and tight profile on the palate. Possessing fine tannin, excellent mid-palate depth and a great finish, it’s a serious bottle of wine that will have 10-12 years of longevity.
Still in barrel at the time of the teasting, the 2012 Les Amandiers looks to be the crème of the line up. A serious wine that possesses ample dark fruit, exotic spice, cedar, toasty oak and crushed rock minerality, it is medium to full bodied, textured and nicely concentrated on the palate. Give it a year or so once released and drink it through 2022.
90 Pts 'Brama' Grenache Gris 2011
90 Pts 'Brama' Grenache Gris 2012
92 Pts Brama' Grenache Gris 2013
Moving to the Grenache Gris releases, the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Brama Grenache Gris all look to be outstanding, with varying degrees of citrus, mineral, honeycomb and hints of nuttiness to go with medium to full-bodied richness and depth on the palate. These are just another example of how successful this variety can be in this part of the world, and they deserve attention.
93 Pts 'Limited Edition' 2011
With only 700 bottles made, the 2011 limited edition is up near the top of the portfolio. Aged in 100% new French oak, it offers up a knockout bouquet of cassis, plum, licorice, toasted spice and hints of spring flowers that gives way to a full bodied, beautifully focused and elegant mouthfeel that keeps you coming back to the glass. As with most of Robert’s 2011s, it’s already drinking nicely now, yet should evolve gracefully for upwards of a decade or more.
92 Pts 'Les Planels' 2012
Made with 100% Syrah, the 2012 Les Planels is impressive! Offering classic cassis, raspberry, licorice and hints of vanilla, it has a fabulous and layered texture and a great finish. Hard to resist now, it should evolve gracefully for a solid 7-8 years.
Giving up plenty of spice, kirsch, dried meats and hints of licorice, the 2012 Old School (70% Syrah, 30% Grenache) is a straightforward delicious red perfect for mid-week drinking. It’s quaffable in the best sense of the world and should drink nicely for a year or two.
The 2012 Old School Blanc is crisp and lively, with solid lime, citrus and green fruit notes to go with a medium-bodied, juicy and nicely balances feel on the palate. It’s a solid value and a worthwhile purchase for consuming over the coming year or two.
The 2013 old school rose, which is made from cinsault and Grenache, offers classic Provencal notes of strawberry, herbes de Provence and spice in its medium-bodied, refreshing and crisp personality. Drink it over the coming year
Syditaliensk testvinder
Sejr til syditaliensk Negroamaro i denne uges test
Livsstil | 29. september, 2014 | af: Claus Forrai
Chateau Maris Minervois 2012
****** 6/6 Stars
Forhandler: Propperiet
Pris: 100 kr. ved 6 stk
Kommentar: Ganske tæt og lækker egnstypisk Minervois vin med klart Carignan præg. Røg og peber i næsen og kradsbørstig mund med flot intensitet og fylde. En vin som næsten skriger efter en godt branket Ribeye steak. Her er ingen fine fornemmelser, men godt gedigent svedigt håndværk. Bravo.
"Quite dense and delicious Minervois wine with clear Carignan touch. Smoke and pepper on the nose with great intensity and fullness. A wine that almost cries out for a Rib eye steak . Really well-crafted wine . Bravo."
"Another Reason To Legalize Hemp: Make A Wine Cellar With It", by Katie Kelly Bell. Forbes.com April 2014
Chateau Maris’ 9,000 square foot wine cellar in southern France maintains a stable temperature year-round without the use of air conditioning or heating; it’s sustainable, organic, all-natural, odorless, and acts as a carbon sink–able to absorb carbon dioxide for up to 25 years
Idées liquides & solides, le blog de Vincent Pousson
Cette syrah, qui accompagnait mon petit déjeuner de l'autre jour, que je fréquente avec joie de temps à autres, il me semble la connaître bibliquement. Sauf erreur, c'est elle qu'on trouve dans la petite syrah de "l'Anglais", La Touge de Château Maris que vinifie mon pote Benjamin Darnault.
Forbes: Why Biodynamic Wines Are Better For You: Six To Try Now. Continuite de Nature 2011:
This 100% Carignan wine has sultry dark fruits (black currant), dried herbs, precise tannins, and a vibrant texture with a runway length finish. Starting with the 2014 vintage, all wines at Maris will be aged the winery’s one-of-a-kind all-natural hemp cellar.
Jeb Dunnuck: 2011
Old School Minervois Rouge 89 Pts
The Wine Advocate, David Schildknecht, June 2011
90 Pts Grenache Gris “Brama” 2010
Jancis Robinson on Grenache"Nouvelles Fraiches" Grenache 2008: "The fruit, the whole fruit and the wines tastes as though there is nothing but the fruit in this splendidly rich evocation of Grenache's visceral appeal. Perhaps helped by Bertie Eden's organic going on biodynamic methods, this throbs with life and is all too easy to glug."
Time Out New York: Best Summer rosés: "Pick up one of these blush-hued bottles for your next park picnic, backyard BBQ or rooftop party..."
Chris Cree, Master of Wine, Syrah "Natural Selection" 2009: "Chateau Maris is fanatically committed to natural and sustainable practices in the vineyard, winemaking, and all aspects of operation including a winery built from hemp - no snickers - and horse drawn plows for the vineyards. This smoky, sultry, fullish-yet-supple red is a blend of 85% Syrah and 15% Grenache grown on hard and soft limestone and alluvial soils. It is fermented in a mix of concrete and conical oak foudres, and aged for 12 months in barrel (30% new oak and the rest in two and three year old barrels) and bottled unfined and unfiltered. It is redolent of ripe black fruits and flowers (cassis, violets), with a hint of pepper, black olive and and that ethereal scent of herbs and garrigue that pervades the dry rugged hills of the region. Perfect with grilled chicken, beef, lamb and other hearty fare."
The Independant on Sunday: The wine whisperer: Does a bottle from a vineyard where everything is done by hand (or hoof) taste any different? July 2009 : "Karibi is a mighty horse, his back taller than a grown man. You would not want to get under one of his enormous hooves as they..."
Wine Advocate: Old Vine Syrah (Les PLanels) 2007:
93 Pts
"From tank, a reductive hint of cassis leaf needed to be shaken off of the Maris 2007 Syrah Old Vine, a bottling based on the estate's best block, surrounded by garrigue on a deep clay hillside near La Liviniere. A wine of exceptional purity, extreme black fruit ripeness, and a velvety texture emerges, girded by ultra-fine tannins and enlivened by springs of fresh berry juiciness as singular in the context of wine this ripe as is the spring that apparently literally lies beneath this vineyard. A small proportion of this cuvee is kept in tank to preserve freshness, but the harmony of oak (un-toasted at this address) and fruit is also perfectly judged, i.e. the former is scarcely noticeable as such. Cardamom, ginger, black pepper, pencil lead, and sweet floral suggestions add to the complex allure of this long-finishing beauty that deserves to be entered in a World Syrah contest."
Q&A with Robert in Green Update
Why did you decide to go down the biodynamic route?
I discovered it when making compost to rejuvenate the life in oursoils. The biodynamic compost always came out the most nutrient-rich. Intrigued, I wanted to learn more. Biodynamics guru François Bouchet helped me Apply the method to our vineyards and farm as a whole.
Tell me about some of the biodynamic practices you use in the vineyard...
Mustard is used as a cover crop mixed with other cereals such as barley, wheat and corn. We always mix our cover crops in order to create competition between them. Nettle tea stimulates particular parts of the vine and
acts as a protective agent against disease. How does biodynamics work? It considers and respects all life and tries to work with all aspects of life rather than acting as a dominant force.
You say you think the hemp cellar may affect the taste ofthe wine – how?
A hemp building makes for a particular natural environment with good air and acoustic quality. We are already finding it a different atmosphere to work in so why shouldn’t the wines? It’s too early to detect any changes
yet though.
And you think the neighboring Visigoth chapel has an energy that positively enhances the cellar site?
The chapel gives off a big energy – there’s something special about it. We’re happy that it’s there and intend to put a few barrels inside it to see how they do.
Robert “Bertie” Eden, runs Château Maris
Gold Medal Distinction at The Concours des Grands Vins de Languedoc Roussillon
Gold Medal Distinction at The Concours des Grands Vins de Languedoc Roussillon
Chateau Maris Continuité de Nature Carignan 2008: "A delicious old vine Carignan of great distinction and noblesse. Seductive, fresh, with great juicy black-currants and cassis"
Gold Medal Signature Bio
Chateau Maris Nouvelle Fraiche Grenache 2008 - Gold Medal Signature Bio - 5/6/2011
Brama 2010 Receives 91 Points
Wine Enthusiast Magazine awarded 'Brama' 91 points in September 2012.
Brama 2010 Awarded 93 Points
Jeb Dunnuck describes our Grenache Gris 'Brama' in The Rhone Report: "An absolutely fabulous white that’s 100% Grenache Gris from vines averaging between 50-70 years in aged, from a single plot, the 2010 Château Maris Grenache Gris Brama delivers a brilliant array of fresh, focused tropical fruits, honeysuckle, lemon rind, and buttered almonds on the nose. Aged in a combination of new and used oak, this definitely sports a hint of barrique, yet the overall freshness and purity is exceptional, and the wine has more than enough richness and depth to handle it. Medium-bodied, racy, and pure on the palate, with a lovely, elegant texture that’s lifted by the wines acidity, this top-notch white opens up over the evening, so don’t be afraid to give it some air prior to serving. It should continue to shine for 2-3 years, if not quite a bit longer."
Les Planels: 90 Wine Spectator Points
On August 31, 2012, Wine Spectator awarded Les Planels 2009, 90 Parker Points, saying "a brooding, powerful red, with dense flavours of dark chocolate, dried raspberry and spice that are supoprted by plenty of tannins. Features smoke and spice on the long, rich finish. Best from 2014 through 2018."
Les Planels: 92 Points
In Jeb Dunnuck's The Rhone Report, he awarded Les Planels 2009 with 92 points, saying "Les Planels is 100% Syrah, from the estate’s top plots, that was aged for 12 months in oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Formerly known as their Old Vine Syrah, it exhibits terrific aromatics of crème de cassis, raspberry liqueur, smoked beef, spice-cabinet and hints of bacon fat that carry into a full-bodied, gorgeously proportioned and balanced Syrah. This too needs an hour of air to shine, has fantastic richness, and a juicy, lively finish and overall feel that keeps you coming back for more. It will drink well for upwards of 5-8 years, possibly even longer."
Les Amandiers: 93 Points
AOC Minervoins La Liviniere Les Amandiers 2009 is awarded 93 points by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, September 2012
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2010
AOC Minervois La Livinière
Maris Old Vine Grenache 2008 MEDAILLE DE BRONZE
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2010
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2010
AOC Minervois La Livinière
Maris Old Vine Grenache 2008 MEDAILLE ARGENT
Concours Syrah du Monde
Concours Syrah du Monde
AOC Minervois La Livinière
Maris Old Vine Syrah 2007 MEDAILLE ARGENT
Concours Signature Bio 2010
Concours Signature Bio 2010
AOC Minervois La Livinière
Maris Touge 2008 MEDAILLE D'OR/GOLD
Concours Grands Vins du Languedoc-Roussillon "Les Grands Vin du Sud 2010"
Concours Grands Vins du Languedoc-Roussillon "Les Grands Vin du Sud 2010"
AOC Minervois La Livinière
Maris La Touge 2008 MEDAILLE D'OR/GOLD
Concours Vinalies Nationales 2010
Concours Vinalies Nationales 2010
AOC Minervois La Livinière
Maris Old Vine Grenache 2008 GRAND PRIX D'EXCELLENCE
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2009
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2009
AOC Minervois Maris Organic 2007 ........ MEDAILLE ARGENT
Concours des Vignerons Indépendants 2009
Concours des Vignerons Indépendants 2009
AOC Minervois La Liviniere Touge 2007........ MEDAILLE D'OR/GOLD
Concours Régional des Vins Méditerranéens Signature BIO 2009
Concours Régional des Vins Méditerranéens Signature BIO 2009
VDP OC 2007 Syrah Organic MEDAILLE D'OR/GOLD
Vinalies Internationnal 2008
Vinalies Internationnal 2008
AOC Minervois La Livinière
Old vine Grenache 2005 PRIX DES VINALIES
Challenge Internationnal du vin 2007
Challenge Internationnal du vin 2007
AOC Minervois La Livinière
Maris La Touge 2004 MEDAILLE BRONZE
Challenge international des vins 2008
Challenge internationnal des vins 2008
AOC Minervois La Livinière
Old vine Syrah 2005 MEDAILLE ARGENT
Concours des vins de Macon 2007
Concours des vins de Macon 2007
AOC Minervois La Livinière
Maris Old Vine Syrah 2004 MEDAILLE ARGENT
Vinalies Internationnal 2007
Vinalies Internationnal 2007
AOC Minervois La Livinière
Maris Old Vine Syrah 2004 MEDAILLE ARGENT
Liste médailles 2007
Liste médailles 2007
Vinalies Internationnal 2007
AOC Minervois La Livinière
Maris La Touge 2004 MEDAILLE ARGENT
Concours Mondial de Bruxelle 2005
Concours Mondial de Bruxelle 2005
AOC Minervois
Maris La Touge 2002 MEDAILLE ARGENT
Challenge International du vin 2005
Challenge Internationnal du vin 2005
AOC Minervois La Livinière
Maris Touge 2002 MEDAILLE ARGENT
Vinalies International 2005
Vinalies Internationnal 2005
AOC Minervois La Livinière
Maris Syrah Vielles Vignes 2002 MEDAILLE ARGENT
Les Amandiers: 93 Points
AOC Minervoins La Liviniere Les Amandiers 2009 is awarded 93 points by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, September 2012
