2020 Château de la Gardine Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes Marie Leoncie

Type of Wine White
Country France
Region Côtes du Rhone
Appellation Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Winery Chateau de la Gardine
Year 2020
Grape Grenache Mourvedre Syrah-Shiraz
Content (Alc) 0.75 ltr (14%)
Drink window 2023 - 2032
View all characteristics Discover more about this wine

The Marie Léoncie is a white Châteauneuf du Pape made from 90% roussanne, from at least 60-year-old vines, supplemented with 10% clairette. The grapes come from calcareous soils, the vineyards are located at an altitude of 40 to 100 meters facing south and southwest. The harvest starts early, usually before September 15, to maintain maximum freshness. The grapes are picked by hand and gently pressed. The grapes are vinified separately. The fermentation of roussanne takes place in oak barrels of 225 liters. The wine then matures in new oak barrels with regular bâtonnage (swirling of the yeast cells). This makes the wine more complex and rounder in taste. No malolactic fermentation takes place. The wine is ready to drink, but can also be stored for at least 10 years - the wine then becomes rounder and creamier in taste and acquires tertiary aromas (cinnamon, mushrooms, nuts).

Château de la Gardine is a well-known player in the wine world. For years they have been internationally known for their terroir-typed Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In the glass, their top model, the Marie Léoncie, is a sparkling golden yellow with a succession of aromas in the nose: mango, poached pear, honeysuckle, vanilla custard and brioche.
This is an impressive wine in which the smell continues in the rich taste. Salty minerality, good acidity and a lively aftertaste.

A great accompaniment to rich dishes such as lobster and turbot and the winery recommends combining the Marie Léoncie with baked foie gras and poached pear.

Vineyard for 2020 Château de la Gardine Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes Marie Leoncie

The Brunel family's winemaking tradition dates back to the 17th century. Gaston Brunel, a famous merchant, bought Château de la Gardine in Châteauneuf du Pape in 1945. The estate is now run by his two sons, Patrick and Maxime, with the help of their wives Eve and Maryse and their children Marie-Odile and Philippe. The estate extends over 52 hectares of vineyards (48 hectares red and 4 hectares white) and 20 hectares of woodland, all surrounding the property. The domain is known for the quality of their wines and the unique Gardine bottle. Today, about 70% of production is exported to about 30 countries.

In 1998, the Brunel family saw the potential of the terroir in Lirac. The family therefore also bought Château Saint Roch with 40 hectares of land in Roquemaure where a selection of red, white and rosé wines is produced. It is Eve Brunel, who is also the oenologist for both La Gardine and St Roch, who runs the estate. Robert Parker once said “Don't underestimate the potential of the Brunel family's Château Saint Roch in Lirac. They make wines of an excellent price-quality ratio."

Today, the Brunel family returns to the trading tradition with "Brunel de le Gardine". They offer a wide range of wines from the Northern and Southern Rhone. Patrick Brunel chooses the best wines from each appellation using his trusting relationships with top growers in the region. The family uses all their knowledge and experience to blend and mature the wines, respecting the tradition and the characteristics of each terroir. The quality packaging, with the special Gardine bottle, is the signature of this fine selection of wines.

The Gardine bottle, original and elegant, was created by spontaneous coincidence. When Gaston Brunel first wanted to expand his cellar and dig in the ground, he found a very old mouth-blown bottle. He liked the shape, so he decided to bottle all his wine in a similar bottle. At first he couldn't find a manufacturer in France who could reproduce this bottle, it was that special. He had them made in Italy. Since 1964, all Gardine wines have been bottled in the unique bottle.

More Information
Type of Wine White
Country France
Region Côtes du Rhone
Appellation Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Winery Chateau de la Gardine
Grape Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah-Shiraz
Biological certified No
Natural wine No
Vegan No
Year 2020
Drinking as of 2023
Drinking till 2032
Alcohol % 14
Alcohol free/low No
Content 0.75 ltr
Oak aging Yes
Sparkling No
Dessert wine No
Closure Cork
Parker rating 94
Tasting Profiles Floral, Dry, Aged on wood, Powerful, Spicy, Rich, Round, Full, White fruit
Drink moments Barbecue, Cadeau!, Lekker luxe, Met vrienden, Open haard, Romantisch
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