Domaine de la Graveirette - Ju de Vie 2020
After studying viticulture and winemaking in Beaune, Burgundy, Julien Mus returned to his family domaine on the outskirts of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in Bedarrides. Prior, his family had sold their grapes to the local cooperative. Since 2012, Julien has worked his vineyards organically; biodynamically since 2015. He has 10 hectares of vines split between Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and Vin de Pays designated vineyards. Julien’s wines are lucid and transparent: extractions are light and vinification is done with minimal intervention without the use of additives. Fermentations occur exclusively in stainless steel or cement vats: No barrels are used at all, including for his Châteauneuf-du-Pape. All wines are marked by minerality, refreshing acidity and purity.
The Domaine de la Graveirette Ju de Vie is a blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Marselan, 30% Merlot and 10% Mourvèdre grown in a mixed soils of sand and clay with some pebbles near the Ouvèze river. Grapes are hand and machine harvested and fermented with native yeasts in a mix of concrete and stainless steel, then aged in both for one year. The wine shows a beautiful concentration of black cherry, violet, and licorice notes alongside flavors of cassis and eucalyptus. This is a vibrant, fruit forward wine that is a joy to drink with a marinated grilled skirt steak.