Nore Merlot
- 0.75L | 13.0%
Gratis verzending met PostNL vanaf €100,-
Gratis avondbezorging via Trunkrs vanaf €150,-
Nore Merlot
Taste & Aging
Complexity
Beautifully layeredDrinking Window
Aromas
Food Pairing
Nore Merlot 2023 is a southern Merlot with more character than a simple, soft house wine. The wine comes from the steep southern flank of the Pic de Nore in the Montagne Noire, a place where Mediterranean warmth and cooler influences meet, allowing Merlot to combine ripeness with freshness. This free, cépage-oriented style suits Pays d’Oc well. What is Pays d’Oc IGP? It is a broad appellation in Southern France that allows a lot of freedom for grape-focused wines like Merlot.
Vineyards and region
The origin gives this Merlot distinctly more tension than you might expect based on its name.
- Location / Origin: The vineyards are located on the first foothills of the Montagne Noire, 10 km north of Carcassonne, on the southern flank of the Pic de Nore. This places this wine in a cooler and higher part of Southern France than many other Pays d’Oc Merlots.
- Climate & Influences: The estate benefits from a transitional climate with Mediterranean and oceanic influences. This combination ensures that Merlot can ripen slowly here while retaining its freshness.
- Soil: On the estate, the plots for the IGP wines are located on cooler and deeper soils, while the importer's fiche for this cuvée also points to the steep slope of the Pic de Nore. This aligns well with a Merlot that combines suppleness with sufficient backbone.
- Landscape: The southern flank of the Montagne Noire is covered with garrigue and lies in a rugged, highly undulating environment. This makes the link with the name Nore immediately logical and gives the wine a distinctly southern context.
Vinification and aging
The cellar approach here is focused on fruit preservation, softness, and a round, accessible structure.
- Harvest & Selection: The grapes are machine-harvested very early in the morning, so that the coolness of the moment preserves as much aroma as possible. This helps to keep the fruit bright and fresh.
- Fermentation: After 2–3 days of cold pre-fermentative maceration, temperature-controlled fermentation follows, after which the wine is racked and pressed after 15–20 days. This method provides enough extraction for color and structure, without losing sight of Merlot's supple character.
- Aging / Wood aging: The wine is further stored in tanks. This keeps the style direct, fruit-driven, and soft, without the influence of wood.
Grape composition
Everything here revolves around one grape that shows a ripe but remarkably fresh side in this appellation.
- 100% Merlot – Pays d’Oc: Merlot forms the complete basis and gives the wine its dark color, soft structure, and full, round attack.
Tasting notes and serving suggestions
Deep red in the glass, with a fresh, fruity nose. On the palate, this Merlot is soft and supple in structure, with a velvety texture and a full, juicy core that lingers beautifully. The finish remains powerful but round, making it pleasantly versatile at the table.
- Serving temperature: 16–18 °C works best here, as this range beautifully brings out the soft structure and the full, spicy style.
- Dishes: Meat dishes with herbs or garlic pair very naturally with this wine, as it has enough body for savory flavors while remaining supple on the palate.
More information about Château Jouclary
Château Jouclary is a family business with roots dating back to the 16th century and is today supported by a 60-hectare estate around the château. The current family further expanded the property from 1969, with a clear focus on combining AOP Cabardès and IGP Oc. Since the 2023 vintage, the estate also bears the organic AB label, which aligns well with the long-term vision for healthy vineyards and terroir-driven wines.
Product details
| Alcohol content | 13.0% |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Size | 0.75L |
| Region | Languedoc-Roussillon |
| Producer | Château Jouclary |
| Varietal(s) | Merlot |
| Ideal serving temperature ? | 16° - 18°C |
| Storage at perfecte wijn | Air conditioned at 18°c |
