Description
Domaine Juliette Avril is a family-run estate with deep roots in France’s Rhône Valley. Their ancestry dates back to 1756 and was involved in the creation of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation and its original AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) regulations. In 1988 Juliette Avril’s daughter, Marie‑Lucile (Marie) Brun, took over the running of the property; and in 2000 she was joined by her son Stephan, who now oversees viticulture, administration, and sales. Today the estate spans 38 hectares of vineyards, over half of which are more than 50-years-old, including 22 hectares in and around Châteauneuf‑du‑Pape, along with plots in Cairanne and Plan de Dieu. Dedicated and devoted to producing great wines with the utmost respect for the environment, they practice the highest levels of lutte raisonnée (sustainable farming) in keeping with Terra Vitis.
The 2021 Domaine Juliette Avril CUVÉE MAILYS is a blend of 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre from 10 hectares of vines that are over 40 years old, grown on clay soils with rolled pebbles in the Cairanne AOP. The grapes were harvested and mixed directly at picking, then fully destemmed before fermentation (which lasted roughly 15 days), with pumpovers 2–3 times per day, at a controlled temperature, to avoid extracting harsh tannins and to preserve the fruit. Malolactic fermentation in concrete tanks, followed by a brief period of aging and minimal filtration prior to bottling. The nose is savory and complex, with hints of leather, lightly smoked meat, and underbrush wrapped around a core of dark red fruit. On the palate it’s round, ample and generous, with soft, ripe tannins, fresh but balanced acidity, and plenty of red and black fruits lifted by subtle spice. The finish is persistent and gently spicy, making it a natural fit for dishes like duck, lamb, or filet mignon.
