Mas Jullien “Autour de Jonquieres”:

Aged an additional year in barrel compared to the “Carlan” and the “Lous Rougeos”—in this case, a combination of demi-muids and large foudres—“Autour de Jonquieres” is closest in spirit to Olivier’s classic and beloved Mas Jullien “estate” rouge. Built on the back of old-vines Mourvedre (40%) planted in poor limestone soils, this cuvee contains roughly equal proportions Carignan and Syrah as well, also from very old, minuscule-yielding vines. This displays that uncanny combination of elegance and power that characterizes so many of France’s truly great wines. It is both rugged and refined, both tenacious and supple, with a harmony of elements that suggests great cellaring potential. In fact, although this wine is by no means tough or difficult at the moment, it will undoubtedly reveal increasingly complex pleasures over the next two decades at least—as bottle after bottle of Mas Jullien pulled from our collection over the years has so emphatically proven. For its complexity, profound terroir expression, visceral pleasure, and long age-ability, we wager that there are few greater values for serious red wine to be found in all of France than Mas Jullien. Organic and Biodynamic.