Commanderie de Saint-Pierre la Garrigue : Commanderie Saint-Pierre la Garrigue Rouge 2021

Tasting Notes and Serving Tips for the Commanderie Saint-Pierre la Garrigue Rouge 2021

Tasting

Appearance

The wine shows an intense, deep ruby-red color.

Nose

Powerful, the nose opens with red fruit notes of Burlat cherry and blackberry, complemented by hints of peppermint that bring a distinctly Mediterranean aromatic dimension.

Palate

On the palate, this wine reveals remarkable tension and freshness. The aromas unfold alongside silky tannins, finely integrated into vibrant fruit. The overall impression is beautifully harmonious, balancing power and elegance.

Food and Wine Pairing

This gastronomic wine pairs perfectly with grilled meats and dishes in sauce, hard cheeses, as well as desserts combining chocolate and fruit, such as Black Forest cake.

Serving and Cellaring

The Commanderie Saint-Pierre la Garrigue Rouge 2021 will benefit from decanting before serving. It is best enjoyed at a temperature between 12 and 14°C (54–57°F). This wine can be cellared until around 2031.

The Creaminess and Liveliness of a Languedoc Red Wine

The Estate

The Commanderie de Saint-Pierre la Garrigue traces its origins back to the late 12th century, when the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John of Jerusalem established this commandery. In 2005, Jehan De Woillemont, then twenty-three years old and representing the eighth generation of winemakers in his family, acquired this abandoned property. After ten years of meticulous vineyard restoration, the estate now spans forty-one hectares, farmed organically since 2018. Located in Saint-Pierre-la-Mer in the Aude, the estate produces wines renowned for their freshness, minerality, and remarkable tension.

The Vineyard

The vineyard dedicated to this red wine is planted on the La Clape massif, at around forty meters above sea level, facing the Mediterranean Sea. The plots benefit from eastern and southern exposures that encourage optimal ripening of the grapes. The soils are composed of hard limestone, red clay, and rocky debris characteristic of this former island that has become a massif. The vineyard is surrounded by Mediterranean garrigue with rosemary, thyme, and maritime pines. The vines are trained in cordon de Royat, a pruning system that limits yields to favor aromatic concentration. Harvesting is carried out by hand at optimal ripeness after tasting the berries according to each grape variety.

The Vintage

The 2021 vintage began with a winter marked by an exceptionally intense frost episode affecting vineyards across France. A milder spring allowed flowering at the end of May. June and July were particularly rainy, followed by unstable weather from mid-July to mid-August. Despite these contrasting conditions, the grapes reached excellent ripeness.

Winemaking and Aging

After careful destemming, the Commanderie Saint-Pierre la Garrigue Rouge 2021 undergoes traditional maceration. During the final third of alcoholic fermentation, this Languedoc wine is transferred into 225- and 500-liter French oak barrels, where both alcoholic and malolactic fermentations are completed. Aging continues for fourteen months in individually selected barrels before blending.

Grape Varieties

Grenache noir, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Syrah