Winemaker Notes
The winding road leading to the plots of Syrah vines located on the terraces at the foot of La Livinière gave its name to this expressive vintage with aromas of black fruits and silky tannins. A singular harmony, with echoes of the surrounding heath. La Touge brings out Life, it is a vintage very representative of biodynamics with a touch of mineral.
Notes of black fruits, blackcurrant. Inky purple on the glass. La Touge has a full-bodied richness, a beautifully integrated acidity, ripe tannins and no hard edges. It is mellow and sleek, with juicy tannins.
Blend: 60% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 5% Carignan
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Gorgeously fragrant, freshly picked strawberries layered with bundles of fresh rosemary, mint and lemon thyme. An incredibly pure expression of fruit and wild herbs, building up to an exquisite cascade of ripe red berries. A mouthwatering wine with a real crunch on the finish, a beautiful texture and a finish laced with bitter chocolate. A real success.
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James Suckling
A medium-bodied red with notes of dark berries, spiced cherries, black pepper and some roasted meat. Fine tannins with a spicy kick to the palate. Velvety texture with plenty of fruits and spices mingling with herbs in the flavorful finish. Syrah and grenache. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Based on 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache, the 2020 Syrah La Touge has a pretty, juicy, up-front, and medium-bodied style as well as classic Minervois elegance. With complex notes of mulberries, new leather, peppery garrigue, and dried flowers, it's drinking nicely today yet should easily evolve for 4-6 years. It's a hidden little gem of a Syrah from the Languedoc.
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Wine Spectator
Smoky and meaty, with black fruit ribboned with bacon fat, charred garrigue and singed sandalwood. Silky yet vibrant on the palate, with good mineral depth, spices and polished tannins lining the lengthy finish. Syrah and Grenache. Drink now through 2030.
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.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
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.