Mayard

History of Domaine Mayard

Domaine Mayard was born from the division of the historic Mayard vineyards in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, after several generations of winemakers. In 2021, Arthur and Hugo Mayard took over part of the family estate, while Clos du Calvaire, the other portion, remained under the management of a cousin. From the outset, the two brothers sought to modernise their approach while staying true to the region's winemaking traditions. Their ambition is to craft wines that reflect the best of each vintage while respecting the unique characteristics of their terroirs.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Mayard

Domaine Mayard spans around twelve hectares, ten of which are within the prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. These vineyards are spread across four distinct plots located in renowned lieux-dits: Grand Coulet, Les Serres, Crau Est, and Pointu. Situated across the communes of Sorgues, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and Courthézon, these parcels benefit from a diversity of soils and microclimates, influencing the quality and character of the wines produced.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape's terroirs are particularly diverse. Grand Coulet is marked by rolled pebbles, which store heat from the sun during the day and release it to the vines at night. Crau Est, with its sandy soils, brings finesse and elegance to the wines, while Pointu, where Mourvèdre vines are planted, is distinguished by its complex clay and limestone soils.

The vines at Domaine Mayard consist mainly of Châteauneuf-du-Pape's historic grape varieties: Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Syrah. One of the estate's unique features is the advanced age of its vines, with some Grenache vines being over 120 years old. These deep-rooted old vines contribute unparalleled complexity and depth to the wines.

Winemaking at Domaine Mayard

Arthur and Hugo Mayard have embraced an artisanal and respectful approach to winemaking, centred on the natural expression of the terroir. The estate favours manual harvesting, a crucial step to select the best grapes at full maturity. The grapes are partially destemmed, and fermentation occurs naturally with indigenous yeasts found on the grapes, preserving the wine's authenticity and identity.

Domaine Mayard’s wines are vinified in truncated cone-shaped tanks made from three different materials: concrete, wood, and stainless steel. Each material imparts specific qualities to the vinification and ageing process, allowing them to adapt to each parcel and vintage. Macerations last around 40 days, using a gentle infusion technique to slowly extract aromas, tannins, and colour, while maintaining the wine’s elegance.

The wines are aged in two stages: first in wooden vats for one year, followed by six more months in concrete tanks. This method brings complexity and balance while refining the tannins and preserving the freshness of the aromas. No sulphur is added during fermentation, making the wines purer and more respectful of the original fruit.

The Wines of Domaine Mayard

Domaine Mayard is distinguished by its limited yet high-quality production. In Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the Mayard brothers have chosen to offer a single cuvée per colour, one red and one white, representing the best of each vintage. This decision allows them to focus their efforts on producing exceptional blended wines, showcasing the specificities of their terroirs and the potential of the grapes grown.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red: A blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Syrah, this wine reveals great elegance with complex aromas of ripe red fruits, dried flowers, and orange zest. The palate is silky, with a fine structure and well-integrated tannins. This Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a wine of remarkable finesse, which ages beautifully over time.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape White: Produced in small quantities, this cuvée highlights typical white grape varieties of the region, such as Clairette, Roussanne, and Grenache Blanc. The wine is marked by a beautiful freshness and minerality that reflect the sandy terroir of certain plots. On the palate, it stands out with floral aromas and citrus notes, with a long and elegant finish.

Additionally, the estate offers a Côtes-du-Rhône cuvée, a fruity and fresh wine ideal for discovering the Mayard brothers' expertise. Finally, the estate is working on a Lirac Blanc cuvée, which, while less well-known than Châteauneuf-du-Pape, is set to become a reference wine.

Under the leadership of Arthur and Hugo, Domaine Mayard has quickly become a key reference in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Their commitment to a viticulture that respects the living world, their attention to the terroirs and vines, and their natural approach to winemaking result in wines of great elegance. With exceptional cuvées, Domaine Mayard is a domain to watch closely in the coming years.

The great vintages of the Rhône Valley are distinguished by their richness and complexity, and some of them are particularly significant in the history of the region's wines. The years 2020, 2017, 2015, 2010 and 2005 are among the most remarkable.

Immerse yourself in the iconic appellation of Châteauneuf-du-Pape by exploring exceptional estates such as Beaucastel, Vieux Télégraphe, Clos du Caillou, Henri Bonneau, and Clos des Papes. Let yourself be captivated by the elegance, power, and complexity of these remarkable cuvées, true gems of the Southern Rhône...