Chateau de Montfaucon Cotes du Rhone 2014 (12 x 750mL), Rhone, France.

Montfaucon is located opposite to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, just across the Rhône River. Our vineyards are spread out between Montfaucon and the two neighbouring towns, Roquemaure and St Genies de Comolas.

The original 18 hectares (1995) of vineyards have grown to 45 hectares by planting new vineyards and by buying old ones. Our vines are up to 90 years old with an average age of 40 years. All the vineyards are farmed at low yields (between 25 to 42 hl/ha).

One of the strengths of Montfaucon is the diversity of soils and exposure (mainly calcareous pebbelstone on silty sandy soil, soil with clay and sandy soil) combined with a large selection of Rhône grape varieties (Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Counoise, Viognier, Marsanne, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul). This diversity is an essential component of the quality, and helps gain an insight into the complexity of Montfaucon wines.

Two millennia of wine history in the Southern Rhône Valley has naturally created a selection of grape varietals well adapted to the region and its terroir: soil, landscape and climate. I am very attached to the idea that we must conserve this natural heritage that is a true asset to our region. This evolution leads to well balanced and harmonious wines with a true identity of Rhône.

I have a natural approach to viticulture and to winemaking; the grape is a fruit, thus the final product should always express the flavours of the fruit. We follow the principals of sustainable agriculture, but in essence our work is organic agriculture: no insecticides are applied and we only use natural fertilizers (blend of sheep manure and marc compost). We leave the native grasses to grow on the vineyards and control its growth by mowing regularly and ploughing when needed (if the season is too dry). This is a way to keep the soil as whole as possible and to maintain our low yields.