Amelie and Jean-Baptiste in the UK

Some of you may remember that last September, we brought this young couple – Amelie and Jean-Baptiste – to meet you all at the Vineyard Partner mini festival. They were delighted to be there and bubbling over with the news of their progress in gaining organic certification (that will be from 2024 onwards). Only possible thanks to the support of their Vineyard Partners. It takes 3 years, so currently they have ‘CAB’ status – Conversion vers Agriculture Biologique.

More steps in sustainability

In addition, their plan is to rewild some barren areas to help build biodiversity, as well as benefit carbon capture. They are also researching new ‘weeds’ to plant between the vine rows and new techniques for ploughing back … all with the aim of absorbing carbon, giving back to the soil and fighting against soil erosion. They also have a long-term plan to help water supplies, which increasingly are becoming a problem in the Languedoc.

It’s hard, painstaking work, but slowly, with little steps, they make progress …

Just this January, Henry, my eldest, and I popped down to see them with our buyer-winemaker, Mark Hoddy. We had a lovely lunch at Mamy and Papy’s house … a lunch that stretched into the afternoon, as they do, with time to discuss future plans. They are full of ideas.

The new vintage release

In March, the 2021 vintage of their delectable Corbières will be delivered direct to Partners. While most of France suffered from devastating April frosts, in 2021 Amelie and J-B got lucky and not a single vine was touched. A miracle, when some reported losses of up to 50%. Overall summer was cool, although August did bring the heat, and as a consequence, alcohol levels are a little lower and flavours are fresher.

In Amelie’s words … where the 2020 gives you notes of candied fruit and spice, the 2021 brings you a fresher style of bright cassis and blackberry, with notes of the herbal garrigue, yet still a touch of spice. She explained it is “a rich and pure wine thanks to the limited yields and grapes in perfect condition.”

Château Guillem de Montjustin is a wine that’s ready as soon as your bottles are settled. No rush, though … it’ll be on form for another four years or so. However, I find this lovely couple’s red pure joy to drink from the get-go – in summer at a barbecue, on cold winter days with hearty roasts. And supple enough on its own too. For me, that’s the perfect red.

Cheers

Tony