Mas De Libian Côtes du Rhône La Calade 2021

Mas De Libian Côtes du Rhône La Calade is a Mourvèdre-dominant red from 50-year-old vines on deep galets roulés, finished with 10 per cent Grenache.

Mas de Libian farms biodynamically in the southern Ardèche, on the right bank of the Rhône, and La Calade is the Mourvèdre cuvée of the range. Calade is old Provençal patois for a steep, stony path, which describes the site well: a very low-yielding parcel of 50-year-old vines growing in galets roulés that run between 1.5 and three metres deep. Mourvèdre needs heat and depth of soil to ripen properly, and this is the kind of ground that suits it. Almost half the wine is vinified in glass and porcelain jars, which Hélène Thibon prefers to oak or steel both for freshness and for avoiding reduction; the remainder is split between 600-litre Stockinger demi-muids and cement. It carries only a Côtes du Rhône label despite the depth on offer.

Good now and will develop over eight to ten years; a light decant helps. Serve at 16-18°C with grilled ribeye, lamb shoulder or a beef daube.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.