14%, Jonquieres, imported by Rosenthal Wine Merchant, New York, NY. Cork closure: natural. Biodynamic calendar: leaf day.
Winemaking notes: the Mas Jullien estate comprised about 14 hectares of organic and biodynamic vineyards north of Montpellier. The ‘Carlan’ is roughly 50% Grenache Noir, 30% Carignan, 15% Cinsault & 15% Syrah grown on schist, sandstone and iron soils. The vines are old and average 45 years of age; the grapes are de-stemmed and fermented with natural yeast and the wine ages in 600L demi-muids for 16 months.
Tasting note: the ‘Cuvée Carlan’ is medium garnet in color with a clean nose of medium intensity with aromas of rose, licorice, red plum, red cherry, cream fraiche, and herbs de Provence. On the palate this wine is dry with medium-minus acid, medium tannin, high alcohol, medium body, medium flavor intensity and a medium finish with flavor of plum, cherry, licorice, leather, cream and herbs de Provence. Drink now, this wine is good: 8.9/10. There is some nice complexity and intensity here, but the heat waves of 2019 left this vintage a little clunky in the balance department.