Gourt De Mautens Rouge Jérôme Bressy Igp Vaucluse, 2019

Gourt de Mautens Rouge 2019 from Jérôme Bressy is one of the Rhône Valley’s cult wines, a deeply characterful red that speaks more of place and old vines than of any single grape variety. Classified as an IGP Vaucluse but crafted to far higher ambitions, it marries intensity with striking finesse. Its unique blend of Grenache, Carignan, Counoise, Cinsault and Syrah/Shiraz comes from meticulously farmed vineyards and a philosophy that champions purity, low yields and minimal intervention.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2019 Gourt de Mautens Rouge shows a deep, vibrant ruby to garnet hue with excellent concentration and a delicate translucence at the rim. The nose is complex and evolving, opening with black cherries, wild raspberries and dark plum, followed by layers of dried herbs (thyme, rosemary), garrigue, black olive, licorice and subtle floral notes of violet and dried rose. A gentle spice profile – white pepper, star anise, and hints of cocoa and tobacco leaf – emerges with air. On the palate, this is full-bodied yet remarkably poised, with a beautiful interplay between ripe, dark fruit and savory, mineral undertones. Silky but structured tannins frame flavors of black berry compote, redcurrant, cherries and a touch of blood orange, supported by fresh acidity that keeps everything lifted and precise. The finish is long, layered and saline, echoing herbs, spice and stony minerality long after each sip. 2019 has the density to reward cellaring: it is already expressive after a good decant but should continue to develop gracefully for 10–15 years, gaining further complexity and tertiary notes of truffle, leather and dried flowers.

Production
The vineyards for Gourt de Mautens lie in the southern Rhône, in Vaucluse, on sun-drenched, well-drained slopes characterized by a mosaic of clay, limestone, and stony soils that naturally limit yields and concentrate flavor. Jérôme Bressy farms his parcels with extreme care, following organic and biodynamic principles, working by hand and harvesting manually at optimal ripeness to ensure only perfectly healthy bunches reach the cellar. The different grape varieties are typically fermented with indigenous yeasts, often in whole clusters or with a high proportion of whole bunches, to preserve aromatic complexity and a sense of terroir. Vinification is gentle, with careful extraction and extended maceration, followed by élevage in large neutral vessels (such as foudres and older barrels) that respect the wine’s purity and texture rather than mark it with new oak.

Food & Serving
Gourt de Mautens Rouge 2019 is a superb partner for richly flavored Mediterranean and Rhône-inspired dishes: think slow-braised lamb shanks with rosemary, roast duck with olives, cassoulet, game birds, or grilled beef with herb rubs. It also works beautifully with mushroom dishes, truffle-inflected cuisine, and aged hard cheeses such as Comté or Manchego. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight its aromatic complexity and freshness. Decanting for 1–2 hours is strongly recommended in its youth to allow the wine to open fully and soften the tannins; older bottles may need a gentler, shorter decant just to remove sediment.

Producer
Jérôme Bressy is widely regarded as one of the most talented and uncompromising vignerons in the southern Rhône. Originally working under the Rasteau AOC, he chose to leave the appellation and bottle his wines as IGP Vaucluse in order to preserve and champion his historic field blend of traditional, often overlooked Rhône varieties. His estate, Domaine Gourt de Mautens, is farmed organically and biodynamically, with an unwavering focus on low yields, old vines and manual work in the vineyard. Over the years, Bressy’s wines have achieved near-mythical status among collectors and sommeliers for their depth, purity and terroir expression, cementing Gourt de Mautens as one of the reference points for artisanal, high-end southern Rhône reds.