Gigondas La Tour, Domaine Montirius 2022

Domaine Montirius is one of the Southern Rhône’s benchmark biodynamic estates, founded by Éric and Christine Saurel and today recognised for producing some of the region’s most transparent and terroir driven wines. Based in Sarrians, between Gigondas and Vacqueyras, the domaine farms around sixty hectares across a mosaic of limestone, clay and sandy soils, with all vineyards certified biodynamic since the late 1990s. The name Montirius itself is derived from the names of the family members, MON for Monique, TI for Éric’s father Elie dit Titi, and RIUS from the family surname Saurel. Éric Saurel has long been regarded as one of the pioneers of sulphur free winemaking in the Rhône, working with native yeasts, minimal intervention and élevage methods designed to preserve energy and site expression rather than weight or oak influence. The wines are known for their combination of Southern Rhône generosity with an unusual sense of clarity, freshness and drinkability, even in more structured appellations such as Gigondas.

Gigondas La Tour is sourced from selected biodynamically farmed parcels within the Gigondas appellation, where limestone rich slopes and stony clay soils sit beneath the dramatic backdrop of the Dentelles de Montmirail. The “La Tour” designation reflects a more focused, structured expression of the appellation, emphasising altitude, freshness and the tension provided by cooler hillside exposures. The 2022 vintage in the Southern Rhône delivered ripe, concentrated fruit while retaining sufficient natural acidity to preserve balance and definition. Vinification is carried out with indigenous yeasts and gentle extraction, aiming to build structure without heaviness, followed by élevage in concrete and neutral vessels to maintain purity and site expression. The wine shows black cherry, blackberry and plum, alongside violet florals, cracked pepper, dried thyme and classic garrigue notes of rosemary and wild herbs. The palate is dense yet finely balanced, with firm but polished tannins, lively acidity and a long, savoury finish that combines power, freshness and the distinctive mineral herbal complexity of Gigondas.

Origin France, Rhône Valley, Gigondas

Grapes Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre

Vintage 2022

Alcohol 14.5%

Style Structured, powerful, herbal

Bottle size 75cl

Winemaking Indigenous yeast fermentation with gentle extraction and élevage in concrete and neutral vessels to preserve structure, freshness and terroir expression with minimal intervention

Notes Biodynamic, Low intervention, Sustainable Viticulture