Portraits of winemakers

DOMAINE TOUR SAINT MICHEL: A FAMILY, A LAND, A HERITAGE

305 Views Posted on: 2024-05-31
 

Domaine Tour Saint Michel: A Family, a Terroir, a Heritage

Domaine Tour Saint Michel is fundamentally a family story that has spanned three generations in the southern Rhône Valley. Located predominantly in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the estate is managed by Mireille, who brings a modern and feminine touch with great success. This is reflected in the numerous awards their wines have received. The estate is committed to respecting the grapes, the wines, and the environment. Mireille is particularly attentive to environmental concerns and adheres to sustainable viticulture principles. She avoids chemical herbicides and uses plows to work the soil. The result? The vineyard has achieved level 3 of the High Environmental Value certification. Discover the highly acclaimed wines of Domaine Tour Saint Michel, crafted by Mireille Porte with modernity and the utmost respect for the land and family tradition.

The Estate’s History: A Family Legacy and Cuvées

For this family, it all began in 1930 with the establishment of the estate by Michel Fabre. It was later taken over by his son, Henri Fabre, in 1970, and finally by Mireille in 2007. Three generations, three styles. This connection to the terroir, its history, and family is what inspires Mireille at every stage of vineyard work and wine creation. It is in homage to this connection that the new cuvée, "Le Lien," was named, and it has been recognized worldwide by top critics. But that's not all! The estate also offers the cuvée "Lion," a tribute to the imposing, generous, and powerful character of Mireille’s father, Henri Fabre. The cuvées named after the two sisters, in red and white, celebrate the successive generations of sisters, while the cuvée "Feminessance" honors the feminine touch brought by the winemaker.

Vineyard and Appellation Overview

Thirty-four of the estate's forty hectares are located within the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. The vines are planted on a terroir of rolled pebbles and benefit from maximum sunshine. The plots extend across various renowned areas such as Gallimardes, Crouscroute, Petites Serres, Grand Coulet, and others. The estate’s latest acquisition takes them further north, towards Terres Blanches, Brusquières, and Fargueirol.

The vineyard is based on six of the thirteen permitted grape varieties in the AOC. For red and rosé wines, Mireille works with Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. For white wines, she uses Roussanne, Clairette, and Grenache Blanc. To explore this estate, we tasted the 2016 Cuvée des Deux Soeurs. This wine highlights the synergy between Grenache and Syrah, evoking the image of two sisters playing together. It features a Grenache-colored robe with aromas of red fruits, spice, licorice, and vanilla. It is a generous and ample wine, embodying the spirit of the estate’s offerings.