Located on the old terraced land of the Rhone, Mas de Libian overlooks the entire Rhone valley. The soils for their village level wines and vin de pays is made up entirely of pebbles. It's some of the most fantastic soils we've seen and to make really good wine here is, well, a bit of a challenge. The average age of the vines is around 30 years old (look at those gnarly barks!) The entire property has been farmed organically for decades, but in 2005 they moved to biodynamic practices with the arrival of Nestor, their Comtois workhorse, who helps to plow. The harvest is in early September for Mas de Libian due to its good solar exposure and, we think, stylistically it keeps the wine from becoming too ripe and round.
The Vin de Pays "Petanque" is, while made by a woman, rather masculine in its concentrated blue and black berry fruit, its slight tannin and generous minerality. It is really only medium bodied, but brings all the flavors you want in a Rhone.. some spice, bright fruit and good acidity. It should most definitely get a chill during the summer months and we would go so far as to say, in fall, at room temperature it will show itself as a different wine to you then.
Mas de Libian Vin de Pays "Petanque" 2009 $14 btl
