MAS DES QUERNES
TERRASSES DU LARZAC, LANGUEDOC
Mas des Quernes is very much the complimentary blending of two friends devoted to the technical mastery and impeccable quality of their wine. The collective skills and experiences of oenologist, Jean Natoli, and Peter Riegel, a German wine merchant, have made their joint venture a genuine exposé of delicious, organic wines that directly reflect the local soils and varietals.
After visiting countless vineyards, this valley of dry stone walls, Roman ruins, ancient olive trees and -- of course -- luscious, green vineyards proved to be the mosaic of terroirs the two friends had been seeking. It is not only here that they are able to create their beautiful blends of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah, but it is also the source of their name, yet another invention from the restless duo. They created "Quernes", from the English word "cairn", which describes the stone mounds hikers love to stack alongside the trails that traverse the vineyard.
After visiting countless vineyards, this valley of dry stone walls, Roman ruins, ancient olive trees and -- of course -- luscious, green vineyards proved to be the mosaic of terroirs the two friends had been seeking. It is not only here that they are able to create their beautiful blends of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah, but it is also the source of their name, yet another invention from the restless duo. They created "Quernes", from the English word "cairn", which describes the stone mounds hikers love to stack alongside the trails that traverse the vineyard.
COUNTRY
France
REGION
Languedoc
APPELLATIONS
Pays d’Hérault IGP
Terrasses du Larzac AOC
Saint-Guilhem-Le-Désert IGP
Languedoc AOC
France
REGION
Languedoc
APPELLATIONS
Pays d’Hérault IGP
Terrasses du Larzac AOC
Saint-Guilhem-Le-Désert IGP
Languedoc AOC
CLIMATE
Mediterranean Sea and mountain climate. Some of Languedoc's highest vineyards and widest temperature ranges. Cool summer nights result in slow and steady maturation, higher acidity and freshness.
FARMING
Organic
WEBSITE
www.mas-des-quernes.com
Mediterranean Sea and mountain climate. Some of Languedoc's highest vineyards and widest temperature ranges. Cool summer nights result in slow and steady maturation, higher acidity and freshness.
FARMING
Organic
WEBSITE
www.mas-des-quernes.com
OUR SELECTION
Les Ruches 2014
REDA dark color with violet hues. Notes of dark cherries, pepper and mango. Voluminous body with velvety tannins. Fresh balsamic finish.
APPELLATION
Terrasses du Larzac AOC
SOIL TYPE
Well-drained limestone gravel
ELEVATION
425 feet
VINE AGE
35 years
VINEYARD AREA
10 acres
Terrasses du Larzac AOC
SOIL TYPE
Well-drained limestone gravel
ELEVATION
425 feet
VINE AGE
35 years
VINEYARD AREA
10 acres
PRODUCTION
16,000 btls - 1,333 cases/year
FOOD PAIRING
Grilled beef or herbed lamb chops.
VINIFICATION
Grapes harvested slightly overripe. Hand-harvested except a small portion of Carignan. Traditional vinification in small stainless steel tanks, 15-20 days. Temperature controlled (beginning at 64-68°F, ending at 86°F).
16,000 btls - 1,333 cases/year
FOOD PAIRING
Grilled beef or herbed lamb chops.
VINIFICATION
Grapes harvested slightly overripe. Hand-harvested except a small portion of Carignan. Traditional vinification in small stainless steel tanks, 15-20 days. Temperature controlled (beginning at 64-68°F, ending at 86°F).
Les Petites Terrasses 2014
REDComplex, delicate medium-bodied red. Notes of pepper, acacia and cherry. Slight, fresh minerality on the finish.
APPELLATION
Saint-Guilhem-Le-Désert IGP
SOIL TYPE
Clay-limestone
ELEVATION
160-300 feet
VINE AGE
35 years
VINEYARD AREA
1.75 acres
Saint-Guilhem-Le-Désert IGP
SOIL TYPE
Clay-limestone
ELEVATION
160-300 feet
VINE AGE
35 years
VINEYARD AREA
1.75 acres
PRODUCTION
2,500 btls - 208 cases/year
FOOD PAIRING
Lean meat, grilled vegetables.
VINIFICATION
Majority traditionally vinified. Slight carbonic maceration of the Syrah. Aged in bottles. Free-run juice only. No oak.
2,500 btls - 208 cases/year
FOOD PAIRING
Lean meat, grilled vegetables.
VINIFICATION
Majority traditionally vinified. Slight carbonic maceration of the Syrah. Aged in bottles. Free-run juice only. No oak.
Mourvèdre Armand 2014
REDDense, medium-bodied red. Expressive notes of blackberry and clove on the nose. Generous, lingering flavors of ripe black and red currant, tobacco, vanilla.
APPELLATION
Languedoc AOC
SOIL TYPE
Clay-limestone
ELEVATION
130 feet
VINE AGE
30 years
VINEYARD AREA
1.5 acres
Languedoc AOC
SOIL TYPE
Clay-limestone
ELEVATION
130 feet
VINE AGE
30 years
VINEYARD AREA
1.5 acres
PRODUCTION
2,400 btls - 200 cases/year
FOOD PAIRING
Spicy dishes such as Chili con carne, Thai cuisine, etc.
VINIFICATION
This Block used to be vinified as a rosé until 2012. 90% carbonic maceration, 10% classic fermentation. Partially aged 8 months in Burgundy oak barrels, the rest stainless steel vats.
AWARDS
"Coup de Coeur", Grand Prix Concours des Vins de La Vallée de l'Hérault.
2,400 btls - 200 cases/year
FOOD PAIRING
Spicy dishes such as Chili con carne, Thai cuisine, etc.
VINIFICATION
This Block used to be vinified as a rosé until 2012. 90% carbonic maceration, 10% classic fermentation. Partially aged 8 months in Burgundy oak barrels, the rest stainless steel vats.
AWARDS
"Coup de Coeur", Grand Prix Concours des Vins de La Vallée de l'Hérault.
La Villa Romaine 2013
REDImpressively concentrated, estate-aged full-bodied red. Notes of brown tobacco, camphor and vanilla. Well-balanced, a charming palate of black, red currant and cherry.
APPELLATION
Terrasses du Larzac AOC
SOIL TYPE
Clay-limestone
ELEVATION
328 feet
VINE AGE
35 years
VINEYARD AREA
1 acre
PRODUCTION
3,000 btls - 250 cases/year
FOOD PAIRING
Prime rib, garlic-roasted potatoes.
Terrasses du Larzac AOC
SOIL TYPE
Clay-limestone
ELEVATION
328 feet
VINE AGE
35 years
VINEYARD AREA
1 acre
PRODUCTION
3,000 btls - 250 cases/year
FOOD PAIRING
Prime rib, garlic-roasted potatoes.
VINIFICATION
Carbonic maceration and classic fermentation. Most concentrated juice used only. Aged 12 months in French oak barrels, 12% in new oak barrels.
AWARDS
Gold medal Concours des vins de la Vallée de l’Hérault
Gold medal Concours Général Agricole
Gold medal Concours des Grands vins du Languedoc Roussillon.
RANKING
Top 100 Languedoc Roussillon competition (London Wine Fair).
Guide Hachette 2017, 2 stars.
94/100 Decanter.
Carbonic maceration and classic fermentation. Most concentrated juice used only. Aged 12 months in French oak barrels, 12% in new oak barrels.
AWARDS
Gold medal Concours des vins de la Vallée de l’Hérault
Gold medal Concours Général Agricole
Gold medal Concours des Grands vins du Languedoc Roussillon.
RANKING
Top 100 Languedoc Roussillon competition (London Wine Fair).
Guide Hachette 2017, 2 stars.
94/100 Decanter.
Le Querne 2013
REDPowerful, yet elegant medium-bodied ruby-colored red. Ample, ripe black and red fruit with pepper and chocolate notes. Lingering finish, hint of thyme.
APPELLATION
Terrasses du Larzac AOC
SOIL TYPE
Clay-limestone
ELEVATION
328 feet
VINE AGE
15 years
VINEYARD AREA
1 acre
Terrasses du Larzac AOC
SOIL TYPE
Clay-limestone
ELEVATION
328 feet
VINE AGE
15 years
VINEYARD AREA
1 acre
PRODUCTION
1,000 btls - 83 cases/year
FOOD PAIRING
Enjoyable alone, with marinated or premium cut of beef or a diverse cheese plate.
VINIFICATION
Aged 12 months in French oak barrels. Cool fermentation beginning between 64-77°F, finishing at 82° for smoother tannins. Malolactic fermentation occurred naturally before harvest.
RANKING
91-point rating by Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
1,000 btls - 83 cases/year
FOOD PAIRING
Enjoyable alone, with marinated or premium cut of beef or a diverse cheese plate.
VINIFICATION
Aged 12 months in French oak barrels. Cool fermentation beginning between 64-77°F, finishing at 82° for smoother tannins. Malolactic fermentation occurred naturally before harvest.
RANKING
91-point rating by Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate