Muntada 2021, Côtes Catalanes Domaine Gauby | Roussillon

Domaine Gauby 'sMuntada is THE flagship cuvée, telling the story of Roussillon' s wild strength with every sip, without ever sacrificing elegance. On the schist and limestone slopes of Calce, century-old Carignan vines stand alongside rows of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Lionel Gauby practises biodynamic viticulture, keeping yields below 20 hectolitres per hectare and harvesting by hand, bunch by bunch, to keep only perfectly ripe, healthy berries. The result is a red wine that is both dense and fresh, a faithful reflection of the Mediterranean climate tempered by altitude. The winemaking process remains minimalist: a few weeks' maceration in whole bunches, stainless steel and concrete vats, spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, then delicate pressing. Ageing lasts almost 2 years in foudres and concrete vats, followed by several months of rest in the bottle, without fining or filtration, to preserve every aromatic nuance.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : Muntada du Domaine Gauby has the depth you'd expect from a great Roussillon red, but with a surprising airy grace. The old Carignan gives a supple, vibrant juice; the Grenache and Syrah sign a fruit of great purity, while the Mourvèdre brings that tannic thread that stretches the finish. Lionel Gauby's red wine is as much for meditation as it is for the table, capable of stirring the senses today and evolving quietly over nearly thirty years.

Muntada unfurls a generous bouquet, an intense blend of wild blackberry, black cherry, blackcurrant, warm blueberry and floral fragrances reminiscent of dried peony and petunia. A blend of spices completes the richness of the fruit: licorice, black pepper, cloves, grated nutmeg and hints of garrigue. A smoky, almost sanguine background and a mineral accent of graphite bring refinement and depth to the whole.

On the palate, the attack is full and silky, supported by velvety tannins that add just the right amount of firmness. The black fruit unfurls energetically, enlivened by a freshness characteristic of the Roussillon heights that makes the whole perfectly digestible. Subtle spicy nuances and a touch of fine leather enrich the flesh of this almost vibrantly velvety wine. The finish leaves a long-lasting, savory mineral trace that confirms the balance between power and elegance.