Wine-growing estate situated between the Dentelles de Montmirail and Mont Ventoux
Terroir
The Southern Rhône is the unmistakable landscape at the heart of Provence. The endless fields of vines are carved into arid stone and shrubby garrigue and are squeezed between olive groves and rocky outcrops all of which have been shaped and coloured by the fierce Mistral wind and harsh Mediterranean sun.
The 35 hectares of vineyard at Domaine de Mourchon have been planted into the contours or the ancient limestone and clay hills above the Rhône Valley. The dynamic topography gives each parcel a nuanced difference in soil, orientation and climate. Each plantation responds differently to this diversity of terrain by producing a variety of interpretations of terroir from which we select to make our final blends.
The distinctive character of Southern Rhône wine comes from the diversity of terroir and range of grape varieties which allow for complex, multilayered and balanced blends which are most often greater than the sum of their parts.
The terroir at Domaine de Mourchon can be approximately divided into three types on to which we have planted Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Viognier and Roussanne of various different generations.
Sausse alt 270m
ORIENTATION : South facing
VINES : 40, 20 and 10 yr old Grenache, 15 yr old Roussanne
The soil is permeable and deep reserves of water bring relief to the roots of the vines at times of heat stress. The sunrise to sundown exposure ensures the Grenache ripens to optimum ripeness with small, concentrated berries.
Loubié alt 320m
ORIENTATION : East to West
VINES : 20 and 10 yr old Syrah, 8 yr old Cinsault
The calcareous clay brings a powerful and rich characteristic to the wine and, the well-draining sand enhances the finesse and elegance of the Syrah grape which is planted on the North-East facing slopes. We have planted Cinsault on the West facing slope to maximize the sundown and bring greater concentration to the fruit.
Mourchon alt 350m
ORIENTATION : North to South
VINES : 65, 50, and 30 yr old Syrah and 65, 50, 30 and 5 yr old Grenache
The vines on this terroir were planted in the late 1950s on to steep slopes which have a range of different exposures. There is very little topsoil on top of a layer of limestone under which is a rocky base of gray marl. The limestone allows for good drainage and has a mineral content which will contribute to the finesse and acidity of a wine. The dense clay subsoil retains moisture and is rich in nutrients which enhances intensity and a bold structure in the wine.