Vin de méditation

One of the definitive wines of Banyuls and part of a limited series – In the 25 years of Coume del Mas there have been only five releases. Every year, Philippe places one, two, or three barrels of the more powerful Banyuls wines in the winery’s attic for oxidative ageing. Generally 300-litre barrels, they are never topped up, allowing natural evaporation to concentrate the wine’s character. Each year, the wines are tasted to see whether they’ve reached a point of exceptional expression. The “Hors d’Âge” designation is used when the wine is a blend of several vintages; if it comes from a single year, it is released as “Grand Cru” with the vintage stated on the label.

This particular bottling comes from one barrel of 2009 and one barrel of 2011. Bottled on November 29, 2024. 300 bottles.

100% Grenache Noir from lower, warmer vineyard sites with vines aged between 45 - 75 years. Spontaneous ferment with 2-3 weeks maceration. Aged oxidatively without topping up.

“Philippe Gard’s idea for Banyuls Grand Cru is that it should only be declared when exceptional and not made every year. This is an outstanding, hugely complex wine with layers of liquorice, cinnamon, clove, dates and dried figs. Huge concentration yet supreme balance with melted tannins and a very long, walnut and caramel finish. 13 years in barrel with no topping up has produced this extraordinary wine.” 96 points - Matt Stubbs MW & Tim Atkin MW, Languedoc Report.