2013 Domaine Aubaï Mema "Liverna" Gard Rouge

Staff Reviews

JM

John Majeski

John Majeski

Vigneron and entrepreneur Mark Haynes is one to follow his passions wherever they take him, from the hectares of grapes he planted in the Liverna valley to the cavernous structure he renovated that serves as winery, events center and weekend tango dancing venue, perhaps his second great passion. And this admirably youthful red wine, a curious coupling of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Grenache, is a natural performer, swirling aromatically in the glass and flexing its moves upon the palate with notes of blackberry, red currants, sweet spice and wild strawberry, finishing with a flourish of suave tannin and soft acidity. A precocious performance, and quite the bargain!

Notes

An organically farmed, naturally made Grenache-Cabernet blend from Aubais, a small medieval village south of Nîmes. Winemaker Mark Haynes may be many things: entrepreneur, winemaker, tango dancer; but there is one thing that he is not--conventional. Mark is a spirited man who came to winemaking late in life when he realized that so many producers in the Gard region were turning their backs on winemaking and farming. The region is in the south of France about 30 minutes from Nîmes. It was his summer home in his childhood and he always had a fondness for it. Looking for a new challenge in his life, he fled to the village of Aubais and began organic farming when he purchased his first vineyards in 2002. The "Liverna" is his workhorse red with lovely currant and pipe tobacco notes. The Grenache adds an element of juicy red fruit that rounds out the flavors of the wine. This makes for great everyday drinking.