Domaine Gonzague Maurice Montagne Saint-Emilion ‘La Folie’ 2016

Before settling in Montagne, Gonzague Maurice worked in the wine business for several years, first two years in Sancerre, then 4 years in a domain in Haut-Medoc. He then followed a specialized training course at Chevalier (PessacLéognan), Château Poupille (Côtes de Castillon) and Domaine de l'Île Margaux. In 2005 he decided to buy an old winery and 3.2 hectares of vines. Its installation required a lot of work since the vines were in very poor condition. More than 3000 vines to replant. The vat room was also in an average state, with functional concrete vats but a large layer of scale to be removed. Once set up, he decided to expand the estate, which currently covers 7.5 hectares in Montagne Saint Emillion, 2.5 hectares in Puisseguin St. Emillion and 3 hectares in Castillon.

La Folie is a niche production : 3.70 acres South oriented limestone clayey slopes within 3 little plots in Parsac. 30 to 40 year old vines planted with high 6000 to 6500 vines’ plants’ density. Green harvesting and leaves’ removing done - if necessary - on the sunrise exposure, to aerate grapes without too much sun exposure. 30 to 40 Hl./ Hect. Max. yield. Hand harvesting & double sorting. Thermo-controlled vinification & malolactic fermentation in small (50 to 60 Hl) concrete tanks. 12 months ageing in 18 months old (no new) French Oak & medium toasted barrels (Taransaud), then 6 additional months aging in concrete tanks before bottling.

La Folie is an architectural 18th century "madness": a small 18th tower that officially served as a relay for the pilgrims of Compostela… but more precisely, a nicely designed single room / bed-room stone house, usually built separated from the main Chateaux, for Chateau owners to “receive” their Mistresses! It is called a “Garçonniere” in French.