Winemaker Notes
Dark, intense ruby red color. The bouquet is intensely complex with hints of red fruit, spice and leather. The palate is dense and full-bodied, with rich flavors of blackberry and licorice accented by distinct yet integrated woody notes and firm tannins.
Located in France's southern Rhône Valley, Château Lamargue (Lah-Marg) comprises 210 acres of vineyard in the up-and-coming Costières de Nîmes appellation. The estate boasts a showcase winery equipped with the most advanced winemaking technology as well as new French and American oak barriques. Investment to date stands at over $12 million dollars. The Grand Réserve is a very special wine that is only produced in years promising unique potential. Yields are reduced in the vineyards which translates into less than one bottle of wine per vine.
Chateau Lamargue in this up-and-coming appellation in France's southern Rhône Valley was established in 1999. The property, which was purchased in 2001 by Campari, includes 85 hectares (210 acres) of vineyards planted in an array of grape varieties, notably Syrah.
Chateau Lamargue boasts a new showcase winery equipped with the most advanced winemaking technology. The estate's vineyards have undergone a similarly thorough rehabilitation, as have Lamargue's aging cellars (chais), which are now replete with all-new French and American oak barriques.
An extensive appellation producing a diverse selection of good quality and great values, Languedoc spans the Mediterranean coast from the Pyrenees mountains of Roussillon all the way to the Rhône Valley. Languedoc’s terrain is generally flat coastal plains, with a warm Mediterranean climate and frequent risk of drought.
Virtually every style of wine is made in this expansive region. Most dry wines are blends with varietal choice strongly influenced by the neighboring Rhône Valley. For reds and rosés, the primary grapes include Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. White varieties include Grenache Blanc, Muscat, Ugni Blanc, Vermentino, Macabéo, Clairette, Piquepoul and Bourbelenc.
International varieties are also planted in large numbers here, in particular Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The key region for sparkling wines here is Limoux, where Blanquette de Limoux is believed to have been the first sparkling wine made in France, even before Champagne. Crémant de Limoux is produced in a more modern style.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”