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KERMIT LYNCH WINE MERCHANT

Technical Information

Wine Blend Vine Age Soil Type Vineyard Area*
Corbières Blanc
“La Bégou”
50% Grenache Gris, 35% Grenache Blanc, 15% Carignan Gris 50 - 60 years Limestone, Schist Approximately 11 ha
Corbières Rosé “Métisse”
60% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 20% Carignan 80 yrs Limestone, schist Approximately 11 ha
Corbières Rouge
“La Démarrante”
50% Carignan, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah 50 - 60 years Sandy limestone, schist Approximately 11 ha
Corbières Rouge “Rozeta”
40% Carignan, 30% Grenache, 30% Cinsault 50 - 60 years Limestone and Schist with fissured rock Approximately 11 ha
Corbières Rouge “Campagnès”
Carignan > 100 years Clay and limestone Approximately 11 ha
Corbières Rouge
“Cuvée Rose”
90% Grenache, 10% Cinsault > 100 years Limestone, Schist 1 ha
* "ha" = hectares; one hectare equals roughly two and a half acres

VITICULTURE / VINIFICATION

• Sheep graze throughout vineyards to control weeds and provide manure to fertilize vines

• Certified organic, but also incorporates biodynamic practices

• Vines all planted in gobelet style

• Farms area of Hautes Corbières, a sub-appellation within A.O.C. Corbières that borders Fitou, and sits at a higher elevation with very rocky terrain

• Vinifies using whole cluster fermentation

• No sulfur used during vinification


Corbières Blanc “La Bégou”:

• Fermented in foudre

• Aged in old barrels for 10 months


Corbières Rosé “Métisse”:

• Direct press

• Grenache Noir, Carignan, and Grenache Blanc are vinified together

• Cinsault is vinified separately (different harvest date)

• Whole cluster fermentation lasting 10 to 12 days

• Vinification in cement, raised for 6 months in 6 to 8 year old barrels

• Wine undergoes malolactic fermentation


Corbières Rouge “La Démarrante”:

• Aged in both cuve and foudre


Corbières Rouge “Rozeta”:

• Grapes from field blend are picked and fermented together

• Ages wine in previously used Burgundian barrels from a producer in Chassagne-Montrachet


Corbières Rouge “Campagnès”:

• Grapes from field blend are picked and fermented together

• Ages wine in previously used Burgundian barrels from a producer in Chassagne-Montrachet

Corbières Rouge “Cuvée Rose”:

• Named for Maxime’s daughter
• Not made each year and released late
• Grapes are co-fermented in wooden tanks for 25 days with regular punchdowns
• Aged in foudre for 12 months

MISCELLANEA

As in many regions in France now, Magnon’s vineyards sit above a sea of cave cooperative vineyards in the lower lands which are trained on wires and planted for maximum productivity. He is a young guy reaching back to the history of the appellation for his inspiration, while using new (although natural) winemaking techniques such as carbonic maceration. Buying his wines supports a young generation trying to do the right thing for the land by protecting the old vineyards and terroirs.


Dixon Brooke, KLWM


But the first question to pose here might be, what is a Campagnès? It is the name of a parcel of vines on a slope above the lovely river Berre in the Corbières. It is 100% Carignan*, gang, 100 years old! Magnon’s style reminds me of Jean Foillard’s in Morgon. Magnon is the southern Foillard. The wine’s fruit is delicious, lovely and deep. It is not inky, alcoholic, or torturously tannic. There is a lot of wine in the wine, and every moment is created to please. You have an impression of little wild berries giving their all, and an incredibly silky texture.


Kermit Lynch

General Information

Country
France
Region
Languedoc-Roussillon
Appellation(s)
Corbières
Producer
Maxime Magnon
Founded
2002
Annual Production
1,700 cases
Farming
Organic (certified)
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