Montcalmes

History of Domaine de Montcalmès

Founded in 1998 by Frédéric Pourtalié and his father Jean-Marie, Domaine de Montcalmès takes its name from an abandoned hamlet situated on a plateau overlooking the Hérault valley. Originally, the 30-hectare family farm was dedicated to cooperative viticulture. However, with the desire to stand out and produce superior quality wines, Frédéric and his father decided to create their own winery. Frédéric Pourtalié honed his expertise by working alongside renowned winemakers such as Laurent Vaillé (Domaine de la Grange des Pères), Olivier Jullien (Mas Jullien) and Alain Graillot (Crozes-Hermitage).

The first red wine vinification dates back to 1999, with a modest production of 5,000 bottles. In 2004, the first white wine vintage was produced. Since then, production has steadily increased, reaching about 50,000 bottles per year today. In 2003, Muriel Fabre, Frédéric's sister, joined the estate, strengthening the family management of the business.

A major milestone in the estate's history occurred in 2012 with the conversion to organic farming. From the 2015 vintage onwards, all production from Domaine de Montcalmès obtained organic certification, marking an evolution in the estate's philosophy, which remains committed to environmental protection and respect for the terroir.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine de Montcalmès

The Domaine de Montcalmès vineyard spans 22 hectares spread across the communes of Puéchabon, Aniane, Saint-Jean-de-Fos and Saint-Saturnin-de-Lucian, all located in the heart of the Terrasses du Larzac appellation. This particular terroir, bathed in the freshness of the Mediterranean climate, is characterised by its geological diversity.

In Puéchabon, the Syrah and Grenache vines are planted on a north-facing limestone plateau, thus benefiting from an exposure that tempers the ardour of the southern sun, preserving the freshness and acidity of the grapes. In Aniane, Mourvèdre is cultivated on land composed of rolled pebbles, similar to those found in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. These pebbles store heat during the day and release it at night, promoting optimal grape ripening, particularly for Mourvèdre, known for its adaptation to hot, dry climates.

The estate's vines, with an average age of 30 years for the reds and 20 years for the whites, are cultivated in a traditional manner. Pruning is short to limit production and promote flavour concentration. Soil cultivation, carried out through regular ploughing, and manual green harvesting ensure a small yield of between 20 and 25 hectolitres per hectare. This rigour in vineyard management contributes to the production of rich, balanced, and expressive wines.

Vinification at Domaine de Montcalmès

Vinification at Domaine de Montcalmès is a meticulous process, based on the separation of grape varieties and the use of traditional methods. The grapes are hand-harvested, then destemmed and crushed before being transferred by gravity into the vats, a system that best preserves the integrity of the fruit.

The red grape varieties (Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre) are vinified separately. Fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts, thus best reflecting the characteristics of the terroir. Maceration lasts about 30 days, allowing for slow and progressive extraction of tannins and aromas.

The ageing of red wines takes place in oak barrels of one or two wines for 24 months, a practice that brings complexity and depth to the vintages. The blending of different grape varieties only takes place at the end of this period, a few months before bottling. This is done during the waning moon, according to a favourable lunar calendar, and the wines are not filtered to preserve all their purity and aromatic richness.

For white wines, composed of Roussanne and Marsanne, fermentation and ageing take place in barrels and demi-muids over a similar period of 24 months. This process gives the wines an elegant structure, while maintaining a beautiful freshness and a long finish on the palate.

The Cuvées of Domaine de Montcalmès

Domaine de Montcalmès offers a limited but particularly refined range, composed of high-quality red and white wines:

AOC Terrasses du Larzac, Red

This is the estate's flagship vintage, resulting from a blend of 60% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre and 20% Grenache. The vines, averaging 30 years old, produce a yield of 25 hectolitres per hectare. The nose is marked by complex aromas of black fruits, liquorice and spices, while the palate reveals silky tannins and great depth. This wine is ideal for ageing and develops an even richer aromatic palette over time.

AOC Languedoc, White

This vintage is composed of equal parts Roussanne and Marsanne, from 20-year-old vines located on a clay-limestone hillside in Puéchabon. The yield is limited to 20 hectolitres per hectare. The wine is distinguished by its aromas of white flowers and candied lemon, and by a beautiful freshness on the palate, balanced by a silky texture. It is aged in oak barrels and demi-muids for 24 months, which gives it great complexity and a persistent finish.

The available vintages from Domaine Montcalmès are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012...

For lovers of Languedoc wines, it is also recommended to discover the estates of Alain Chabanon, Clos de la Barthassade, Clos des Fées, Clos Marie, Daumas Gassac, Gauby, Les Creisses, or even Peyre Rose... These estates, equally prestigious, offer wines of great finesse and complexity, produced with the same concern for respect of the terroir and traditions.

Domaine de Montcalmès has established itself as a major player in the Languedoc wine scene, thanks to its traditional cultivation methods, its conversion to organic farming and its demanding vinification process. Its vintages, both red and white, offer a pure and authentic expression of their terroir, combining elegance, power and finesse. Whether you are an amateur or a collector, the wines of Domaine de Montcalmès are must-haves to taste or keep preciously in your cellar.