2021 Domaine Astruc Pinot Noir Reserve

Jean Astruc, coachman in Limoux, has a dream: his own wine estate. The dream came true in 1862, with the acquisition of 12 hectares of vineyard in Malras. His son Jean Astruc has the same ideal and, despite the crisis and his departure to the battlefields of the First World War, continues to acquire land. In the fifties, his son Pierre inherits the Domaine Astruc. It then includes more than 30 hectares of vineyard and the means to exploit it. In 1977, after completing his studies, Pierre's son, Jacques Astruc, returned to Malras to continue building the Domaine Astruc with his father.

Jean-Claude Mas entered the picture in 2003: owner and winemaker of Les Domaines Paul Mas, a successful and independent family business in Pezenas, also in the Languedoc. He had been working with Astruc – the main source of their Vin de Pays wines – for a long time and decided to buy the Domaine. The d'A series is the first fruit of this purchase.

This 100% Pinot noir comes from a vineyard located on a terrain with clay and limestone and locally even very sandy. The age of vines is around 15 to 21 years old at a height of around 200-250 meters. The sea breezes of the Mediterranean Sea have free reign and ensure healthy vineyards without phylloxera or mold. Jean Claude opts for a high plant density so that there is a lot of competition and the plants have to work and have to root deeply. It also ensures that yields are relatively low. The grapes are harvested at night to prevent oxidation. The grapes are scraped and then undergo cold pre-fermentation maceration (10 ° C). Fermentation then takes place at 23 ° C. The wine then matures for another 6-8 months in oak barrels, of which 70% American and 30% French oak

In the glass, the wine has a light garnet red color with fresh red fruit in the nose such as strawberries and cherries, but also typical pinot notes such as sweet spices and light vanilla. In the mouth it is elegant with notes of red fruit (strawberries, cherries, raspberries) and caramel. Light tannins. This pinot noir offers a lot for the money. Nothing too much and everything nicely balanced. A delicious glass that does not bore and an excellent accompaniment to charcuterie and terrines. Also delicious with a lamb stew.