Vacqueyras Le Clos, Clos Montirius 2018

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 combining the generosity of the Southern Rhône with an unusual sense of clarity, freshness and drinkability, even in more structured appellations such as Vacqueyras.

Vacqueyras Le Clos is a single parcel cuvée sourced from the estate’s Clos vineyard, a biodynamically farmed enclosed site within the Vacqueyras appellation where limestone rich clay soils and careful vineyard orientation help preserve balance in the warm Southern Rhône climate. The clos setting allows for a particularly coherent expression of terroir, with the vines benefiting from consistent soil conditions and protection that enhances ripeness and phenolic maturity. The 2018 vintage was warm and generous across the Rhône, producing wines with rich fruit concentration and supple structure. Vinification is carried out with indigenous yeasts and gentle extraction to maintain balance and avoid excess weight, followed by élevage in concrete and neutral vessels to preserve purity and site definition. The wine shows black cherry, plum and blackberry, layered with violet florals, garrigue herbs, black pepper and a subtle earthy mineral character. The palate is full and rounded, with ripe but integrated tannins, fresh supporting acidity and a long, savoury finish that reflects both the depth of the vintage and the focused expression of the Clos site.

Origin France, Rhône Valley, Vacqueyras

Grapes Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre

Vintage 2018

Alcohol 14.5%

Style Rich, structured, savoury

Bottle size 75cl

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

Notes Biodynamic, Low intervention, Sustainable Viticulture