{"product_id":"montirius-2021-gigondas-la-tour-biodynamic-red-wine-80-grenache-20-mourvedre-no-oak-cement-vat-southern-rhone-france-750ml","title":"Montirius La Tour 2021 Gigondas Biodynamic Red Wine 750ml","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eMontirius is one of the Southern Rhône's most important and genuinely original estates — the first domaine to achieve biodynamic certification on both the Gigondas and Vacqueyras appellations, and one of the most philosophically committed producers in all of France. The name itself tells the family story: a contraction of MON (Manon), TI (Justine), and RIUS (Marius) — the three children of Christine and Eric Saurel, fifth-generation vignerons who converted their 63-hectare estate to biodynamic viticulture in 1996 after a decisive encounter with Loire biodynamic pioneer François Bouchet. Their guiding principle has never changed: \u003cem\u003eMontirius bottles nature, and nothing else.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eLa Tour is Montirius's most approachable and immediately expressive Gigondas — produced from the estate's younger vineyard parcels, named for one of the \u003cem\u003elieux-dits\u003c\/em\u003e where its five hectares are situated, and built deliberately without a single stave of oak. No barrels, no barriques, no boisé. The wine matures exclusively in unlined cement vats that the Saurels had constructed with informed water, built to vibrate at the same energetic frequency as the vineyard site itself — an approach that sounds esoteric until you taste the result: a Gigondas of unusual purity, freshness, and fruit clarity that delivers the full aromatic richness of the Southern Rhône without the oak-driven weight that can obscure it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe 2021 vintage across Gigondas was shaped by a cool spring with frost episodes followed by a moderate summer — producing wines of elegant structure, brighter acidity than warmer vintages, and genuine aromatic finesse. La Tour 2021 is exactly the Gigondas for the customer who thinks they don't like Gigondas: generous, vibrant, and deeply satisfying without asking anything of the drinker except attention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigins \u0026amp; Craftsmanship\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eDomaine Montirius occupies 63 hectares across the Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and Côtes du Rhône appellations in the Vaucluse department — at the foot of the dramatic Dentelles de Montmirail, in the shadow of Mont Ventoux, in one of Provence's most visually and agriculturally distinctive landscapes. The estate's biodynamic journey began when Eric Saurel's father Max ceased all use of chemical fertilizers in 1980 — already sensing their long-term damage to soil vitality — before Christine and Eric, inheriting the estate in 1986, committed fully to biodynamic conversion in 1996 under François Bouchet's guidance. Biodyvin certified the estate in 1999 — making it the first Gigondas and Vacqueyras property to achieve that distinction. The commitment has deepened with each generation: Justine Saurel, Christine and Eric's eldest daughter, joined the estate as a young farmer in 2013 and now participates fully in the winemaking program.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe philosophy extends beyond the vineyard into the cellar, where the Saurels made a decision that defines the entire Montirius style: no wood, anywhere, ever. All wines age exclusively in unlined cement vats — vessels chosen for their inert, thermally stable properties that allow the fruit to express itself fully without adding flavor, extracting tannin, or oxidizing the wine in the manner that barrels inevitably do. The cement vats were constructed with a unique additional intention: built using water that the Saurels describe as \"informed\" — charged and structured through a philosophical process rooted in water memory theory — to ensure the cellar vibrates at the same energetic frequency as the vineyard it serves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eLa Tour is produced from five hectares of the estate's youngest vines — ranging from 10 to 35 years of age — planted on a diverse mosaic of soils characteristic of the Gigondas garrigue: blue clay marls, yellow sandstone, and sandy gravel, each contributing distinct aromatic and textural nuance to the final blend. The vine training follows traditional gobelet and Royat cordon methods — both designed to limit yield and maximize concentration — with a maximum of six fruit-bearing shoots per vine. The 80% Grenache Noir and 20% Mourvèdre blend is harvested entirely by hand, with harvest timing determined by berry tasting rather than analytical measurement. Vinification follows a traditional maceration approach — the estate calls it \"fruit salad\" — beginning with maceration before alcoholic fermentation to extract roundness and aromatic complexity from perfectly mature fruit. No additives, no chapitalization, no oak. The wine then ages in unlined cement until bottling.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh, vibrant, and unmistakably Southern Rhône — the absence of oak allowing the grape and terroir character to speak with uncommon directness. Dark cherry and ripe red fruit lead with vivacity and precision, followed by the evocative garrigue character of the La Tour parcel: wild thyme, rosemary, and dried lavender threading through the fruit with genuine terroir specificity. Violets add an aromatic lift and elegance — a Grenache signature at its most expressive — alongside ripe blackberry and a suggestion of dried fig deepening the mid-nose. The 2021 vintage's cooler conditions are detectable in a brightness and mineral freshness that gives the nose particular energy and definition. A whisper of warm spice and black pepper from the Mourvèdre component adds depth and complexity at the close of the aromatic picture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate\u003c\/strong\u003e Juicy, generous, and deeply satisfying — the no-oak approach delivering a purity of fruit that Gigondas rarely achieves at this level. The entry is all vibrant cherry fruit and ripe Grenache warmth, broadening quickly into a mid-palate of darker fruit, ripe tannins, and the characteristic garrigue earthiness of the terroir. The Mourvèdre's structural contribution is felt in the tannin's grip — present, well-formed, and tighter than expected for the vintage, as one reviewer noted — adding cellaring potential and mid-palate depth without heaviness. Mineral freshness — the terroir's blue clay marls detectable as a cool, slightly stony quality — threads through the whole, keeping the wine lively and focused despite its richness. The overall impression is of a wine where everything is in the right place: fruit, structure, earth, and freshness in genuine equilibrium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium to long, clean, and gently drying. Dark cherry and garrigue spice fade together in a close that is focused and mineral rather than heavy — the cement vat aging maintaining the wine's freshness well into the finish. Tannins dry gradually and cleanly, with a final note of lavender and black pepper from the Mourvèdre persisting pleasantly. A finish that leaves the palate clean, refreshed, and ready for the next sip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto w-full px-2 mb-6\"\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"min-w-full border-collapse text-sm leading-[1.7] whitespace-normal\"\u003e\n\u003cthead class=\"text-left\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\" class=\"text-text-100 border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/60 py-2 pr-4 align-top font-bold\"\u003eCategory\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\" class=\"text-text-100 border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/60 py-2 pr-4 align-top font-bold\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAppellation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eGigondas AOC, Southern Rhône Valley, France\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVintage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e2021\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eDomaine Montirius — Christine \u0026amp; Eric Saurel, 5th generation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCuvée\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eLa Tour — named for the \u003cem\u003elieu-dit\u003c\/em\u003e parcel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e5 hectares — youngest estate vines (10–35 years)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoils\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eGarrigue, blue clay marls, yellow sandstone, sandy gravel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e80% Grenache Noir · 20% Mourvèdre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABV\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e13.5%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFarming\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eCertified Biodynamic — Biodyvin 1999 · First biodynamic estate in Gigondas \u0026amp; Vacqueyras\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eManual — timing determined by berry tasting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVinification\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003ePre-fermentation maceration (\"fruit salad\") — no additives\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAging\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e100% unlined cement vats — no oak whatsoever\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2021 Vintage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eCool spring, frost episodes, moderate summer — elegant structure, brighter acidity, aromatic finesse\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle \/ Identity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003ePure, no-oak biodynamic Gigondas — fruit-forward, garrigue, mineral, fresh\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAromas \u0026amp; Flavors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eDark cherry, ripe red fruit, violets, blackberry, wild thyme, rosemary, lavender, dried fig, warm spice, black pepper, mineral freshness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCellar Potential\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eDrink now through 2028–2030\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottle Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e750ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eServing \u0026amp; Occasion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eBest served at 16–17°C in a generous Burgundy-style glass that allows the garrigue aromatics and violet lift to open fully. Decanting 20–30 minutes will soften the tannins and deepen the fruit — highly recommended for the 2021 given its slightly tighter tannic structure. An exceptional food wine across a broad range of Mediterranean and Provençal cuisine: roast lamb with rosemary and garlic, grilled duck breast, wild boar stew, herb-roasted chicken, mushroom-based dishes, aged goat cheese, and anything featuring the aromatic herbs of the Southern French landscape. Also exceptional simply opened and poured on a warm evening without overthinking — this is a wine that rewards both attention and ease in equal measure. Cellar through 2030 for additional development, or enjoy now for its vibrant, immediate fruit character.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Southern","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43745397178434,"sku":null,"price":27.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0363\/8621\/files\/Montirius_2021_Gigondas_La_Tour_Biodynamic_Red_Wine_80_Grenache_20_Mourvedre_No_Oak_Cement_Vat_Southern_Rhone_France_750ml.jpg?v=1778791543","url":"https:\/\/www.blackwellswines.com\/products\/montirius-2021-gigondas-la-tour-biodynamic-red-wine-80-grenache-20-mourvedre-no-oak-cement-vat-southern-rhone-france-750ml","provider":"Blackwell's Wines \u0026 Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}