# Les Hauts de Montmirail (2022)

- **Producer:** Domaine Brusset
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah
- **Region:** Rhône, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €29
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackberry, black pepper, eucalyptus, violet, blueberry, black cherry, black plum, cedar, cloves, chocolate, vanilla, leather, tobacco, earth

## About this wine

Les Hauts de Montmirail from Domaine Brusset is a red wine from the Gigondas appellation in France's Southern Rhône Valley. Produced by the Brusset family, who have cultivated vineyards since 1947, the wine originates from the distinctive terroir of the Dentelles de Montmirail. The estate's vineyards are located on small terraces, benefiting from the unique microclimate of the area. The winemaking emphasizes expressing the character of these specific sites, with a focus on low yields and careful vineyard management. The wine is a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah, reflecting the classic varietals of the Southern Rhône.

## Interesting facts

- Vineyards are situated on terraces below the Dentelles de Montmirail.
- Farming is in conversion to organic practices.
- Yields are kept intentionally low at 25 hl/ha.
- The wine is a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium+ body and firm tannins are well-suited to rich, protein-heavy dishes, where the tannins can interact with and soften the meat's proteins. The dark fruit and spicy notes in the wine complement the savory and herbaceous elements often found in traditional Southern French cuisine.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for Les Hauts de Montmirail begins with hand-harvested and meticulously selected grapes. Each varietal is fermented separately for 21 to 30 days, utilizing cold pre-fermentation maceration, punch-downs, and temperature control. Following fermentation, 50% of the wine is aged in French oak casks, with some new oak used. The final blend aims to capture the essence of the Gigondas terroir.