Château Romanin is one of the leading names in biodynamic winemaking in Provence. Nestled in the heart of the Alpilles, at the foot of their north face in a spectacular setting, the estate is home to the ruins of the Château des Templiers and has existed for centuries. In 2006, Anne-Marie and Jean-Louis Charmolüe—also owners of the prestigious Château Montrose, a Saint-Estèphe Cru Classé—fell under Romanin’s spell and took over the estate. Jean-Louis Charmolüe, who liked to say that “great estates always have a history,” passed away in 2018, leaving a considerable legacy to Provence’s wine industry.
The 58-hectare vineyard has been cultivated biodynamically since 1988—one of the earliest and most successful conversions in all of Provence. The wines are aged in a monumental cellar, a veritable underground cathedral carved into the rock at the foot of the Alpilles—a winemaking site unique in France, which lends the estate an almost mystical quality. Since 2018, a brand-new winery has complemented this spectacular historic cellar, enabling the estate to continue improving the quality of its wines.
The estate’s varied geological conditions determined the choice of grape varieties on a plot-by-plot basis: Grenache and Mourvèdre were planted in 1991 on gravelly soils—gravel and sand—while Syrah and Counoise followed in 1992 and 1993 on sandy-clay soils. This precise match between grape variety and terroir, planned from the moment of planting, allows each variety to fully express its potential. Cabernet Sauvignon, a non-Mediterranean variety boldly planted by the Charmolües, completes the blend of the Grand Vin Rouge, adding extra structure and complexity.
The grapes are harvested by hand, followed by rigorous sorting on a vibrating table to retain only the perfectly ripe berries. Fermentation of the destemmed must takes place over 12 to 21 days depending on the grape variety, in large stainless steel tanks and wooden barrels—each variety finding the container best suited to its expression. After alcoholic fermentation, followed by a few weeks of malolactic fermentation, the young wine ages for 18 months in large wooden barrels, where it refines and reaches its initial maturity—a long aging process that softens the tannins without ever imposing an excessive woody flavor.
The 2020 vintage reveals a deep, dense, and brilliant ruby-red color. The nose entices with aromas of wild strawberries, blueberries, and blackcurrants, complemented by notes of eucalyptus and garrigue typical of Provence. On the palate, it is fresh and firm, yet fully concentrated—the tannins are silky, enveloped in notes of licorice that pleasantly extend the tasting experience with a long, well-balanced finish. Château Romanin has regularly been recognized for this cuvée—a gold medal at the 2021 Terre de Vins Competition and a Decanter silver medal with a score of 92/100 for the 2018 vintage.
Serve at 18 °C. Food pairings: roast Alpilles lamb with herbes de Provence, game, Provençal stew, aged cheeses. Aging potential: up to 10 years after harvest.
Discover all the vintages from Château Romanin.
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