This family-owned domaine is managed by two brothers, Serge and Thierry Baret, who along with their father, cultivate 35 hectares of vineyards. The domaine, which is located 15 km from the Mediterranean Sea, dates back to 1748. The name Château Virgile which now is used in reference to the noted Roman poet Virgil, was the name of the original owner of the domaine. The vineyards are planted right at the edge of a plateau, where there are deep alluvial gravel deposits from the Rhône River — a mixture of granite and limestone pebbles (known locally as gress).
This is the first vintage in more than a decade, that Virgile has changed the blend of their wine, with the addition of Marselan. The vines, situated at the edge of a plateau in very deep gravel, produce dark, concentrated wines. The grapes are destemmed and vinified in tank, where the wine undergoes several “pumpovers” and one or two “delestages” during fermentation. The Château Virgile Rouge does not spend any time in oak, and is lightly fined and filtered before bottling.
Château Virgile is a lush and concentrated example of a Costières de Nîmes. The nose is intense with black fruit aromas complimented with hints of garrigue spice. In the mouth the wine is dominated by dense black cherry flavors from the Syrah. The Syrah is complimented by hints of black pepper and red cherry notes from the Grenache. The Mourvèdre helps to provide the ripe tannins that give this wine its structure. Now, for the first time, the addition of Marselan, softens the wine, giving it a lush, juicy character.
This wine is ideal for barbeque, grilled meats, or simply burgers on the grill. Enjoy!
