Commanderie de Saint-Pierre la Garrigue : Grand Maître 2018

Characteristics and tasting advice for Grand Maître 2018 from the Commanderie de Saint-Pierre la Garrigue

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a deep red hue.

Nose

The nose unveils an intense, complex aromatic palette, marked by notes of dark fruits such as olive and black mulberry. These aromas are complemented by peppery and spicy nuances, along with hints of eucalyptus reminiscent of the surrounding Mediterranean garrigue herbs.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is explosive from the very first sensations. The structure is both powerful and refined, offering remarkable complexity with silky tannins that are elegantly integrated. The overall impression is one of distinguished elegance and a lingering finish that speaks to the depth of the raw material.

Food and wine pairings

This wine is an ideal match for grilled red meats, dark-fleshed game, as well as spicy dishes. It also pairs perfectly with braised offal and full-flavored hard cheeses, particularly those made from sheep’s milk.

Serving and cellaring

Grand Maître 2018 can be enjoyed now.

A powerful and elegant Mediterranean red from the La Clape appellation in Languedoc

The estate

Acquired in 2005 by Count Jehan de Woillemont at the age of twenty-three, the Commanderie de Saint-Pierre la Garrigue experienced a remarkable renaissance after a decade of intensive reconstruction. Located in the heart of the La Clape massif in Languedoc-Roussillon, this sixty-hectare estate continues the family legacy of Château de Marmorières, owned by the family since 1826. Certified organic since 2018, the vineyard occupies a historic site founded on the remains of an ancient commandery of the Order of the Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem dating back to the 12th century. Jehan de Woillemont now leads this estate, which embodies his personal vision of a viticulture combining complexity, elegance, and freshness.

The vineyard

The vines for Grand Maître 2018 thrive on the heights of Saint-Pierre-la-Mer, at around forty meters above sea level overlooking the Mediterranean, within the La Clape appellation. The vineyard benefits from an exceptional environment, surrounded by a cirque of limestone cliffs and preserved Mediterranean garrigue. The soils display a complex mosaic of red soils, white soils, and limestone, providing an ideal limestone-clay matrix for the optimal expression of Mediterranean grape varieties. Protected within the Parc Naturel Régional de la Narbonnaise en Méditerranée, the terroir enjoys maximum sun exposure and a microclimate conducive to the phenolic ripening of the grapes.

Winemaking and aging

Since 2013, the vinification of Grand Maître 2018 has been carried out at Château de Marmorières, making it possible to benefit from sophisticated technical facilities. Certified organic viticultural practices exclude any synthetic chemical inputs, favoring soil enrichment through compost and the establishment of winter cover crops. Pest control is carried out through mating disruption and the use of natural products such as sulfur, copper, and essential oils.

Grape varieties

This Languedoc wine is a blend of grenache noir, syrah, mourvèdre, carignan