Le Grand Marrenon 2020, Luberon AOC, Marrenon

Luberon: The vineyards extend across the entire Luberon massif and along the southern slopes of the Monts de Vaucluse, clinging to the hillsides, occupying the relief of its hills, and stretching along the rivers. The Luberon massif is a region of small mountains in the heart of Provence, stretching 60 km from Cavaillon in the west to Manosque in the east. Its highest peak reaches 1125 m. In the south, it is bordered by the Durance valley and in the north by the Calavon valley. The vineyards are situated between 160 and 450 meters above sea level.
This factor is decisive for the style of the wines: the abrupt night/day temperature changes and the slow but complete ripening kinetics favor a metabolism in the grapes that produces wines that are elegant rather than massive, with profiles that are fresh rather than jammy.

The Soil Factor

These consist of several soil types from geological formations with a rather eventful history.

* The limestone that makes up the massif is found as scree mixed with clay. These soils produce richer and more structured wines with notes of ripe fruit.

* “Les Safres” bear witness to the long presence of the sea. It is a mixture of sand and clay, which leads to wines with a soft, accessible style with notes of fresh fruit.

* Slate marl and marine-deposited molasse (soft sandstone) with a high lime content result in round and full-bodied wines, both for whites and reds.

The Climate

Mediterranean, but strongly influenced by the altitude. 320 days of sun a year...

The region's famous light intensity in the heart of Provence is the decisive factor in aroma synthesis by optimizing the synthesis of aromatic precursors at the level of the grape skins.

Water Sources

An astonishing mixture of aridity and lush vegetation. A vast underground network of branched and multi-layered water allows springs to emerge in the driest places. Some terroirs benefit from this moisture, which prevents the ripening process from stalling in midsummer.

Mont Ventoux: also known as the "Giant of Provence." It is 1912 m high and directly influences the growing conditions of the vines. As in the Luberon, the altitude plays the same role. In the Aptois hinterland, the vineyards climb up to an altitude of 400 m.
The wind factor gradually becomes significant: while still strong in the west, it becomes weaker as the valley deepens.
During the ripening period, the contrast is very great. It is astonishing how cool the nights are in Provence when you are sandwiched between the Luberon and the Ventoux.
The ripening kinetics under these conditions are slow. The Syrah wines are harvested only from mid-September to early October, the Grenache wines between the end of September and the last days of October...
The most important grape varieties
* Grenache is the pillar of the appellation.
* Syrah accounts for 30% of the grape varieties within the Marrenon vineyards.
* Others, Cinsault and Mourvèdre, complete the wines for the AOC.
* Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, together with the aforementioned, form the basis for the vineyards.
Basis for the IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée).
Furthermore, it is a region with a highly dynamic geology that has produced a unique topography and diverse soils.

* Gravette soils, deposits formed from the weathering of the rock. These soils are very permeable, poor, and perfect for Grenache, to which they give a very rich, dense, but velvety style.
* Soils made of calcareous sandstone, permeable, originally barely fertile, which yield delicate wines with a high glycerin content.
* Rich clay soils and marl, which produce softer and finer wines. The Marrenon vineyards in the Ventoux are distributed across the Calavon and the first slopes of the Monts du Vaucluse.

Every step of the winemaking process is carefully monitored. A qualified agricultural engineer is responsible for the details of cultivation (size, yield, harvest date, etc.), while an oenologist is in charge of the specifications and vinification methods. Harvesting and winemaking are carried out in a way that preserves the character of this wine and ensures the terroir is reflected in it. The grapes are destemmed, followed by slow maceration and gentle handling of the cap for optimal aroma and color extraction from the berries.

Marrenon Classique rouge: Traditional winemaking with a 7- to 12-day maceration at a controlled temperature (22° - 26°C) to allow the grapes to release maximum aromas. Gentle handling of the cap.

Versant sud, rouge: The vines grow on selected plots in the municipality of Lourmarin with stony and calcareous clay soils. The vineyards have a southern exposure. The Luberon appellation is located in the heart of Provence. It is named after the mountain range of the same name and is fully integrated into the Luberon Regional Park, one of France's first nature parks. The climate here is distinctly Mediterranean, with continental influences thanks to the Alps and the Rhône Valley. With around 2,600 hours of sunshine, the Luberon is one of the most sun-drenched regions in France. - Harvest of the grapes in early October at high maturity. The plots are managed according to the principles of organic farming. - low fermentation temperature - long maceration period (4 weeks).

Inventa Le Roc, rouge: "Le Roc" comes from Syrah plots located at the foot of one of our villages below a limestone cliff in the north of the Luberon massif. The north-east exposure means a cool climate, slow growth, and late maturity, which gives this wine beautiful tension and extraordinary freshness, paired with woody notes, power, and finesse. - The harvest takes place at the end of September in the selected plots. Each of these plots is precisely checked down to the smallest detail in advance to ensure that the harvest is carried out at the optimal time. Destemming and pressing are carried out. Maturation: 2 years in French barrique barrels.

Orca, red: Terroir: Granular limestone soils with many large stones on selected south-facing plots on the side of the Ventoux mountains (28hl/ha yield). An area with great temperature differences between day and night. - Vinification: The grapes are hand-picked in September and October. 12-15 day maceration with controlled temperature management. Pump-overs for robust extraction. Afterwards, Orca is aged for 12 months in barriques, predominantly in 1-4 year old barrels (10% new barriques).

Grand Marrenon red: The grapes for this wine come from selected parcels. After harvest, destemming takes place. Fermentation lasts 10 to 22 days. The red wine is produced exclusively in Marrenon's new barrel cellar, where temperature (15°C) and humidity (85%) are controllable. The wines mature for 12 months in barrique barrels (30% new barriques). The wine is tasted regularly, later racked, and bottled after blending.