Julie Karsten - 'Metaphysique des Cuves' - Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault - Southern Rhône, FR - 2021

Region: Rhône • Appellation: Côtes-du-Rhône • Color: Red • Grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault • Soil/Terroir: Clay-limestone • Average Vine Age: 30 years • Farming Practices: Organic (ecocert since 1998) • Vinification: Vinified in stainless steel or fiberglass tanks with floating cap. • No SO2 during vinification. All grapes are destemmed. Only indigenous yeasts. She sometimes employs punchdowns if necessary. • Aging: Aged in tanks for 1-2 years depending on the vintage. • Fining/Filtration: light filtration before bottling, no fining. • SO2: 30-40 mg/l total • Alc/Vol: 12.5% • Number of bottles produced: 30,000

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Julie Karsten farms 10 hectares of organic Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre in Castillon-du-Gard, near where the Rhône approaches the sea, to the west of Avignon. She inherited the estate in 2008 from her in-laws. Having received no formal winemaking or viticultural training, she learned on the job and through the guidance of her father-in-law. These humble wines are made using natural processes: only indigenous yeasts, ageing in large vats, with only minimal sulphur additions during aging and before bottling. The result is a classic Côtes-du-Rhone made with respect for the vines and the surrounding natural environment. Julie sums up her philosophy simply: “No synthetic pesticides or herbicides; here it's the love of nature that prevails, healthy agriculture for happy vines, living soils for living wines." We wholeheartedly agree, Julie!