Winemaker Notes
Thyme, rosemary, some menthol notes, a touch of lavender, this aromatic bouquet propels you into the heart of the vine. In the mouth, this sunny wine communicates over the full length of the tongue: a bouquet of already complex aromas with some notes of sautéed black cherries, blackcurrant, licorice, pepper and cold meats. Dark purple color. Rich, full-bodied, yet elegant and seamless, with an impressive texture. An integrated acidity and a beautiful elegance, making you come back to the glass. Aging potential: 7-10 years.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
This sinewy red shows character with supple tannins that surround flavors of black cherry and blackberry notes underpinned by details of mocha, anise and spice. Brooding but with lots of freshness. Syrah, Grenache and Carignan.
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Wine Enthusiast
Deep ruby in hue with purple highlights, this bottling offers notes of blackberry, spice and acacia on the nose. The palate conveys dusty, dried blueberry and blackberry flavors alongside vanilla and pepper spice, with a generous finish.
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.
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.”
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.