Vacqueyras Garrigues, Domaine Montirius 2020

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 have gained a strong following for combining the generosity of the Southern Rhône with unusual freshness, precision and drinkability.

Vacqueyras Garrigues is a more structured and site driven expression within the Montirius range, sourced from biodynamically farmed vineyards planted on the classic “garrigue” terroir of Vacqueyras, where limestone rich soils are interspersed with galets roulés and aromatic Mediterranean scrubland influence. This combination of sun exposure, stony soils and native vegetation gives the wine a distinctly savoury, herbal and mineral character alongside its ripe fruit profile. The 2020 vintage in the Southern Rhône produced concentrated yet balanced wines, with ripe tannins and deep fruit intensity supported by good natural freshness. Vinification is carried out with indigenous yeasts and gentle extraction to preserve balance and avoid excess weight, followed by élevage in concrete and neutral vessels to maintain purity and terroir definition. The wine shows black cherry, plum and blackberry, layered with garrigue herbs, violet, black pepper and a subtle earthy, saline edge. The palate is full and structured, with firm but polished tannins, fresh acidity and a long, savoury finish that reflects both the warmth of the vintage and the complexity of the Garrigues terroir.

Origin France, Rhône Valley, Vacqueyras

Grapes Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre

Vintage 2020

Alcohol 14.5%

Style Structured, savoury, Mediterranean

Bottle size 75cl

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

Notes Biodynamic, Low intervention, Sustainable Viticulture