Mas des Infirmières - Rouge 'Source'

Country: France Region: Luberon

Varietal: 70% Syrah, 30% Grenache

 Colour: Red Style: Dry

This wine contains no added sulphites

PRODUCER

Mas des Infirmières sits near Oppède-le-Vieux within the Luberon Natural Regional Park. The name recalls its medieval function as a place of healing, probably run by Italian nuns; it later passed through the hands of a Napoleonic general. Sir Ridley Scott acquired the property in 1992 as a private retreat, drawn initially by the silence and the landscape rather than any viticultural ambition. He painted and read there, and progressively found himself tied deeper and deeper to the place.

Environmental stewardship is taken seriously. The estate holds High Environmental Value certification (HEV) and Bee Friendly accreditation, it uses no insecticides, and has deployed a geographical information system to optimise treatments and reduce chemical inputs across the vineyard. The optimisation of water sources is also an ongoing project.

TASTING NOTES
Drawn from the estate’s oldest Syrah vines, harvested in the early hours to preserve aromatics, and aged for 12 months in new French oak. What comes through is dark fruit (black cherry, blackcurrant) and a thread of olive tapenade, with vanilla and spice held well in the background. The texture is the real argument for the wine: silky, even keeled, with a finish that extends without any apparent effort. Limited production, and worth seeking out.