Mas Amiel : Vers le Nord 2019

Characteristics and tasting tips for Vers le Nord 2019 from Mas Amiel

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a deep red hue with brilliant highlights.

Nose

The nose opens with fresh citrus notes, particularly grapefruit and blood orange, before evolving toward black fruit aromas such as blackcurrant and blackberry. The bouquet then reveals resinous nuances, tapenade and eucalyptus, accompanied by aromatic herbs like thyme and bay leaf. Hints of dried fruits, prune and fruit paste complete this complex aromatic palette, enhanced by peppery floral notes.

Palate

The attack on the palate stands out for its remarkable freshness. The palate reveals an opulent texture while maintaining a lively vibrancy. The fruit expresses itself in a tactile and immediate way, as if biting directly into the grape. The mineral dimension brings dynamism and complexity to the whole. The finish lingers with elegance, sustaining freshness and aromatic intensity.

Food and wine pairings

Vers le Nord 2019 pairs perfectly with roasted duck breast, duck confit, roast beef or a rib steak. Its citrus notes and mineral structure also harmonize with Mediterranean preparations incorporating olives, herbs and citrus.

Serving and storage

This Vers le Nord 2019 can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve until around 2029. Decanting for one hour allows its aromatic complexity to fully express itself.

A single-plot Maury from Roussillon combining freshness and minerality

The estate

Founded in 1816 in the Agly Valley in Roussillon, Mas Amiel now spans 220 hectares, including 152 hectares of vines. Acquired in 1999 by Olivier Decelle, the estate underwent a major transformation with the development of high-quality dry wines alongside its historic Vins Doux Naturels. Under the direction of Nicolas Raffy since 2007, the property obtained biodynamic certification in 2020. The estate stands out for its single-plot approach and its preservation of indigenous grape varieties, notably Grenache Noir, of which it maintains old selections.

The vineyard

Vers le Nord 2019 comes from the Devèze plot, a two-hectare terroir located within the Maury appellation. This plot is characterized by a north-facing exposure that promotes freshness in the wines. The soils display remarkable complexity with a blend of calcoschists, bluish limestone and ferruginous clays. The old Grenache Noir vines are interplanted with Syrah. The Mediterranean climate, marked by 260 days of sunshine per year and limited rainfall, is tempered by the cool influences of the Pyrenees.

The vintage

The 2019 vintage in Roussillon proved to be sun-drenched with generous sunshine. However, the north-facing exposure of the Devèze plot helped preserve the freshness and balance of the grapes despite the warm conditions. The harvest was carried out by hand at optimal ripeness.

Winemaking and aging

After a double selection of the grapes in the vineyard and then in the cellar, approximately one third of the Vers le Nord 2019 bunches were destemmed while the remaining two thirds were vinified as whole bunches. Fermentation took place in 50-hectoliter stainless steel tanks. Aging was carried out in concrete tanks to preserve the fruit expression and the minerality of the terroir, without any oak influence.

Grape varieties

Grenache Noir (90%)
Syrah (10%)