Villa Blanche Marselan - Calmel & Joseph

The Villa Blanche Marselan - Calmel & Joseph gleams in the glass in dense, shiny ruby red with a hint of violet at the rim. Even at the first swirl, dark fruit aromas rise up, intense and seductive. Ripe blackberry and juicy plum take center stage, accompanied by fine liquorice spice, dark cherry and a hint of blackcurrant. Subtle notes of violet, liquorice, cocoa and a touch of black pepper round off the bouquet and create an enchanting depth.

On the palate, the Villa Blanche Marselan - Calmel & Joseph shows a silky, flowing entry that immediately reflects its origin in sun-drenched Languedoc-Roussillon. The dark fruit appears juicy and dense, yet always remains clear and structured. Black berries, ripe plum and a hint of prunes meet notes of liquorice, dark chocolate and a fine touch of espresso bean. The tannins are ripe, velvety and well-integrated, giving the wine a supporting structure without any harshness.

The freshness balances the rich fruit character in an elegant way. A subtle spicy note is reminiscent of Mediterranean herbs such as thyme and rosemary, joined by hints of juniper, a touch of tobacco and a delicate whiff of smoke. A fine mineral streak lends the wine finesse and entices the next sip. The body appears full yet smooth, the mouthfeel remains silky and dense, with fine grip on the finish.

On the aftertaste, the Villa Blanche Marselan - Calmel & Joseph unfolds a long, aromatic trail of blackberry jam, dark cherry and spicy liquorice, accompanied by some vanilla and cocoa. The ripe tannins carry the finish far, the impression remains clear, deep and forceful. The style of the wine comes across as powerful, fruit-driven and at the same time surprisingly elegant, a modern expression of the Languedoc that combines character and charm.

The Marselan grape variety, a crossing of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache, brings the best of both worlds into the glass in this interpretation. The abundance of fruit and spice of Grenache meets the structure, color and depth of Cabernet. The warm, dry climate of Languedoc-Roussillon ensures optimal ripeness of the grapes, while cooler winds from the nearby hills provide balance and freshness. The soils in this region are rich in limestone and gravel, which shape the wine with fine minerality and elegance.

Typical impressions of Villa Blanche Marselan appear in the glass in the form of a rich palette of aromas:

• Dark berries such as blackberry, blackcurrant and ripe cherry
• Juicy plum, prunes and a hint of damson
• Spicy notes of liquorice, liquorice root, black pepper and cocoa
• Fine floral hints of violet and dried blossoms
• Subtle roasted notes, some espresso and a hint of vanilla

Overall, this wine presents a successful combination of power, structure and elegance. The silky, dense mouthfeel, the ripe tannins and the juicy fruit offer a rounded, harmonious experience that whets the appetite for the next sip. Villa Blanche Marselan is ideal for connoisseurs who appreciate characterful, modern red wines from southern France and value a clear, varietal profile.

Production of Villa Blanche Marselan by Calmel & Joseph

The grapes for this red wine come from selected parcels in Languedoc-Roussillon in the south of France. Here, the Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine, low rainfall and fresh winds from the sea and hills shapes the style of the wine. Calcareous soils interspersed with gravel and clay offer ideal conditions for deep-rooted vines and concentration in the harvested fruit. Marselan feels particularly at home in this environment and develops intense color, dense fruit and fine spice here.

The winemakers at Calmel & Joseph work with high standards of precision and fidelity to terroir. Harvesting takes place when the grapes are ripe, often early in the day, in order to bring the fruit cool into the cellar. Strict selection in the vineyard and on the sorting table ensures that only intact, aromatic berries reach the fermentation vessels. The varietal harvest of Marselan allows for a targeted elaboration of the varietal character.

In the cellar, gentle destemming is followed by careful maceration. A short cold maceration intensifies color and fruit before alcoholic fermentation begins. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, which highlights the clarity of the fruit and the fine spice. Regular punching down of the cap ensures gentle extraction of color, tannin and aroma.

After fermentation, the young wine remains on the skins to gain additional depth and structure. This is followed by gentle pressing. Part of the wine then matures in stainless steel tanks, while another part is given time in wood, for example in large casks or barriques. This maturation brings subtle toasted notes, vanilla and cocoa into play without overpowering the fruit. The extended contact with fine lees rounds out the texture and reinforces the silky, dense mouthfeel.

Before bottling, the different lots are carefully harmonized. The aim remains a wine with clear origin, intense fruit and elegant structure. The Stelvin screw cap preserves the wine’s freshness and guarantees reliable quality in every bottle.

1. Careful selection of Marselan parcels in Languedoc-Roussillon
2. Selective harvesting and strict sorting of the grapes
3. Temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks
4. Finely tuned maturation in tank and partly in wood
5. Gentle bottling with Stelvin closure for stable freshness

Serving recommendations for Villa Blanche Marselan by Calmel & Joseph

Villa Blanche Marselan presents itself as a versatile food companion that pairs particularly well with dishes rich in aroma. With grilled beef or lamb, the wine unfolds its dark fruit and spice impressively. A juicy entrecôte with rosemary potatoes, lamb chops with a herb crust or braised beef cheeks make a harmonious combination with the wine’s silky structure.

The wine also shows impressive charm with Mediterranean cuisine. Braised vegetables with eggplant, peppers and zucchini, ratatouille, oven-roasted vegetables with thyme or a hearty lasagne with beef ragout are excellent matches. With braised poultry, such as coq au vin or chicken thighs with olives and herbs, the wine shows its full strength. The spicy notes of liquorice and pepper stylishly capture the roasted aromas of the dishes.

Vegetarian dishes also harmonize beautifully. Dishes with lentils, chickpeas or black beans, pasta with mushroom ragout, gnocchi with robust tomato sauce and olives or a spicy vegetable bake find the perfect partner in this Marselan. With cheese, the wine is particularly suitable in combination with semi-mature to mature varieties. Mature Comté, Beaufort, Gruyère or an aromatic hard cheese from the Alps accompany the dark fruit in an exciting way.

As a wine for convivial evenings, Villa Blanche Marselan strikes exactly the right note. It suits relaxed get-togethers with friends, summer barbecues, autumn stews or a stylish dinner for two. It also makes an impression as a gift for lovers of modern French red wines and shows character.

The ideal serving temperature is between 15 and 18 degrees. At this temperature, fruit and spice unfold at their best and the tannins remain silky and soft. A short period of aeration in a decanter before serving is advisable, especially for young vintages. This allows the aromatic spectrum to open up more quickly and reveal even greater depth.

A classic red wine glass is perfect for Villa Blanche Marselan. A glass with a rounded bowl allows the wine to develop its bouquet optimally and clearly display its silky, dense structure in the mouth. When stored in a cool, dark place, the wine shows stable development over several years and offers lasting enjoyment in the glass.

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