Côtes Catalanes (anciennement Côtes du Roussillon Villages) La Muntada Gauby (Domaine) 2008

Lot presentation

Côtes Catalanes (anciennement Côtes du Roussillon Villages) La Muntada Gauby (Domaine) 2008

The wine

Muntada is sufficient proof in itself. The Domaine Grauby's grande cuvée, connoisseurs no longer need to add the name of the property to identify it. Made from Vieux Carignan vines, many of which are a hundred years old, Grenache that has reached a respectable age, and some Syrah and Mourvèdre that are still quite young, this wine reflects its Mediterranean origins - both land and sea - with perfect purity. Structure and strength for one, freshness and minerality for the other. Always imposing, the wine presents very complex flavours, and completely fills the mouth; long ageing for 30 months is carefully managed to leave no heaviness from the wood. The overall impression is of immense balance and a very smooth tactile sensation. A masterpiece.

This property has gained legendary status in Roussillon. 20 kilometres from Perpignan in the middle of a large area of grassland, garrigues and forests, the 45-hectare vineyard benefits from an excellent climate and geographical position, where the coolness from the altitude (150 to 300 metres) tempers the summer heat. Furthermore, the well-preserved, still partially wild region presents a magnificent landscape. The schist, clay and marl soil allow the vines to grow very deep roots, which gives the wines additional complexity. The terroirs look over the sea to the east; the vines are planted on areas of sedimentary limestone to the north and schist to the south that exist in overlapping vertical strata. Resolute in their respect for the environment, Gérard Gauby and his son Lionel stopped using chemical treatments a long time ago, replacing insecticides and weed control products with "house" concoctions of essential oils and composts. Their focus is on elegance and freshness in the wines, and the path they have chosen would seem to be a successful one.