Chateau Massiac Minervois Rouge 'Cuvee Sentinelle'

'The Chateau Massiac has a long history that dates back to the Roman Empire when this area was colonized by the Romans. Bernard Boudouresques and his family recently revived the domaine, planting vineyards and converting the estate to organic viticulture. The domaine lies at the extreme south of the Massif Centrale, effectively in the gently sloping foothills that lead to the Mediterranean coast which is not terribly distant. The subsoils are essentially limestone and clay with silex and marble infusions, all of which was formed during the Lutecian geologic era. This soil has particularly good drainage which accounts for the superior concentration that Massiac achieves in its wines. As well, the site is exposed to both the winds that sweep north from the Mediterranean and the cooling northwest wind coming from the mountains known as Le Cers which consistently dries the vineyard and makes it less vulnerable to the maladies of the vine

The “Sentinelle” cuvée is the more precocious of the two reds produced at Massiac. The tannins are more supple and the fruit a touch “sweeter”, more forward and less rustic than its companion. Fermentation and elevage are in tank. The wine is bottled within a year of the harvest. The blend is usually two-thirds Syrah and one-third Carignan. Somewhere between 9,000 and 10,500 bottles are reserved for us for the US market. Certified Organic.' - Importer's Notes