Deep ruby color; blackberry, blackcurrant, raspberry, plum, blueberry, touch of spice, cedar, garrigue on the nose and palate.
Dry (1.9 g/L); ripe, tasty tannins; good acidity (3.6 pH; 3.57 g/L TA). Medium-plus body. Blend of 70% syrah, 30% grenache. Vinified in vats with punchdowns and pumpovers for four weeks of maceration. Aged 16 months in Nomblot concrete eggs and vats. Ripe fruits, easy drinker with no hard edges. Some complexity, but primary feature is solid, fun, straightforward presentation of amiable fruit. 14.5% ABV
Effort named for the road that leads to plots of syrah located on terraces below La Livinière, a small commune (less than 700 inhabitants). La Livinière (“the place planted with vines” in French), is located in the heart of the Minervois between Toulouse and Montpellier. The chateau covers some 111 acres divided into many plots on the hillside. Château Maris was the first vineyard in the AOC Minervois La Livinière to be fully certified biodynamic.
Chateau Maris is a progressive operation in France’s Languedoc region. It was the first European vineyard/winery to earn B Corporation certification. B Corporation certification promotes companies that transform their business into a virtuous force for good: good for workers, good for communities, good for the environment. The winery received Ecocert certification in 2002, Biodyvin in 2004 and Demeter in 2008.
The winery is justifiably proud of its direction. The website notes: “Our winery is a truly singular place. We produce our wines with indigenous yeast, in custom-made wooden, thick concrete or egg-shaped vats to avoid using electrically conductive materials. A classic stamp of Château Maris’ identity is our ovoid vats. This shape, adapted from Roman dolia, naturally encourages the flow of energy and convection currents. Our preserved wines are light ‘brewed’ by the natural resuspension of the fine lees.”
Owner Robert Eden fell under the spell of La Livinière and moved to Château Maris in 1997. He implemented an organic and biodynamic approach from the outset. A committed winegrower and world-renowned specialist in biodynamics, he promotes the benefits of this practice throughout the Languedoc.
Kevin Parker is the co-owner of Château Maris and places an emphasis on the winery proactively responding to climate change. The website notes Parker: “guarantees the longevity of the Château’s philosophy. Now Managing Partner of SICM (Sustainable Insight Capital Management) in New York and previously a member of Deutsche Bank’s board of directors, he argues that the science of climate change is irrefutable.”
Château Maris La Touge 2019 is straightforward crowd pleaser; affable tannins and acidity allow ripe, flavorful fruits to lead the silky parade on your palate. Excellent integration of darker fruit elements without intrusion of oak—this was made in concrete vats and eggs. Another example of Languedoc impressive emergence from a lake of plonk to seriously good, affordable wine. $20-23
Pairing—Beef and lamb; ribeye, filet mignon, New York strip, lamb shanks, lamb confit with honey; French beef stew. Rabbit with olives. Roasted pork dishes. Pizza, lasanga, comfort food in general—meatloaf, gourmet burgers, sliders, beef stew, slow-cooked brisket, barbecue chicken. Cheese—Farmhouse cheddar, aged gouda, manchego, comté, gruyère; semi-hard sheep or goat cheeses.
