Wine of the Week 3/22/22

Domaine de la Mongestine Les Monges Côteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Rouge 2018
Regularly $19.99/On Sale for $14.96

Coteaux d’Aix en Provence is located in the middle of a region known as Provence Verte (Green Provence), 1200 square kilometers of dense deciduous forests, striking cliffs, castles, churches and vineyards.

While Coteaux d’Aix en Provence is primarily known in the USA for easy-drinking, mass-produced rosés popular in the Hamptons, Domaine de la Mongestine is a young estate at the forefront of a shift to organic and biodynamic viticulture.  

Owners Harry and Celine Gozlan produce their wines with minimal intervention.  None of the cuvees see sulfur until bottling.  Native yeast fermentations allow the estate to showcase the different terroirs of their estate.  They avoid barrel aging in their winemaking, preferring inert tanks and amphora, which allows for micro-oxygenation but does not obscure their terroir.

The “Les Monges” (The Monks) is a blend of 30% Grenache and 70% Syrah, perfectly balanced at the intersection of smoky garrigue and fresh fruit.  As the Mongestine slopes are cooler than many Provençal vineyards, while still maintaining a strong diurnal shift between hot days and very cool nights, the grapes reach full maturation very gently.  The resulting wine is rich but fresh; suitable for mealtime, porch-sipping, or fireside warming.  Try one!  We think you’ll be back for more.