The following article is from before the year 2022, period from which Chateau Montana has changed ownership: it is now managed by Jean Jonquères d’Oriola.
Certifié HVE, committed to organic conversion, Chateau Montana is established at Banyuls-dels-aspres, village of Coasts of Roussillon characterized by its wine terroir as qualitative as it is expressive.
The experienced man
Si Patrick Saurel is an experienced entrepreneur, he is also a winegrower invested in the young appellation of Côtes du Roussillon Villages Les Aspres, recognized as AOC in 2017. Coming from the mass distribution sector, this entrepreneur who appreciates great wines has often visited the vines of Bordeaux, Burgundy or the Loire Valley. With its oenological culture, it could not escape the fate that will root it in the vineyard. Arrived in Roussillon during the year 1982, settling in a region where viticulture has a historical tradition quickly established his destiny as a winegrower. The year 1996 was decisive with the acquisition of Chateau Montana, XNUMXth century wine estatee century located Banyuls-dels-aspres. The area which concentrated its entire economy on trading concealed a strong potential for renewal. The prospect of creating on this Roussillon terroir a elegant wine brand From then on, he asserted himself as a determination to work as a winegrower.
The reinvention of the vineyard
Taken in hand in 1996, Chateau Montana then counted only 11 hectares of Carignan, Cinsault and Maccabeu. The commitment to a sustainable project made it possible to set a first horizon: to rethink and diversify the grape varieties of the estate. Over twenty years, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Merlot, Cabernet sauvignon, Marselan and Caladoc were planted. Diversity which has been accompanied by an extension of the vineyard today spread over two terroirs: one consisting of 25 hectares on the site of Chateau Montana, the other of a 5 hectare plot located on the Aspres. Of these wine resources certified in High Environmental Value (French Environmental Label) The estate's vintages are born today. They mature in a cellar which was itself rebuilt and refurbished between 2003 and 2005 to meet the demands of particularly careful vinification and aging. AT Chateau Montana, the imperative of quality begins with the harvest of which the preserved fruit is collected by gravity. Gentle extractions in a vertical press are then favored, along with a fine control of temperatures and fermentation. A particularly rational winery complemented by a barrel cellar then determines all the flexibility of the aging.
The elegance of wines
Implement a qualitative range of Roussillon wines assumed a time of maturation. The first signed bottles Chateau Montana began to leave the cellar in 2001. The production is now deployed in three main appellations: IGP Côtes Catalanes, AOP Côtes du Roussillon itself declined in sub-denomination Villages the Aspres. The wines are worked with a search for roundness and elegance adjusted to the nuances instilled by the terroir. The reds produced in the appellation Coasts of Roussillon Villages les Aspres are particularly demonstrative. Fruits from the best plots of the estate, The Red Star as Silence reveal in distinct characters the expressive variations born from the assembly of Carignan, Syrah and Grenache. One in power and aromatic richness where the woodiness sets a spirit of great tradition, the other in subtle revelation of a dense fruit doubled in counterpoint with notes of vanilla or spices acquired by aging. With the White Star The Roussillon Grenaches open in expression, whose floral and fruity evocations are enriched by the subtle complexities conferred by ripening in demi-muid. Signature of tradition in Roussillon, natural sweet wines are also present in Chateau Montana. They favor full expression of the fruit that the winemaker is keen to free from the veils of traditional oxidative aging.
Wine tourism welcome
Chateau Montana is also of wine tourism interest materialized by an accommodation offering labeled Gîtes de France. A 60 m² apartment and a 40 m² studio provide a stay at the Château. The layout of the small Wine, Vine and Traditions museum in a wing of the domain completes the interest of the visit, just like the exhibitions regularly organized in the tasting area which adjoins the cellar.
