The Chardon Masqué is the newest addition to the Domaine Terre des Chardons lineup—and the most original. It marks a turning point in the lineup: for the first time, Jérôme Chardon has made Cinsault the primary grape in the blend, ahead of Syrah and Grenache, which have always dominated his Costières de Nîmes. A bold choice, consistent with the estate’s evolution toward wines that are ever lighter, fresher, and more immediately pleasing.
Cinsault: a grape variety known for its freshness and finesse
Cinsault is one of the oldest grape varieties in Languedoc and Provence—long confined to rosé blends, it has experienced a remarkable renaissance in recent years among the most discerning winemakers. On the warm, stony terroirs of the Gard, it produces reds with an almost Burgundian lightness: low in alcohol, high in fruit, with natural acidity that provides tension and nearly imperceptible tannins.
Here, Cinsault accounts for 80% of the blend, complemented by Syrah and Grenache. The wine is vinified naturally, without oenological additives, using indigenous yeasts and aged in concrete tanks or large oak casks depending on the vintage—a technique that promotes natural micro-oxygenation and preserves the fruit’s freshness without imparting oak. Demeter-certified biodynamic since 2002, hand-harvested, using rounded pebbles from Bellegarde.
Tasting Notes
Color: light red, luminous, transparent—almost translucent like a Pinot Noir from the north.
Nose: deep black fruits (blackberry, blueberry), sweet spices, a slight floral note, remarkable aromatic lightness.
Palate: airy, smooth, and very easy to drink. The tannins are barely perceptible—smooth, silky, almost nonexistent. The finish is fresh, short, and clean. A wine that goes down effortlessly and calls for another glass.
Style: even more supple and delightful than the Bien Luné—it’s the estate’s red wine for absolute, immediate pleasure.
Serving and Pairings
Serve between 14 and 16°C, well-chilled, or even slightly iced in the summer. Le Chardon Masqué 2025 is ready to drink now and through 2028.
Food and wine pairings: light Mediterranean dishes, mixed salads, pizzas, fine charcuterie, mild cheeses (fresh goat cheese, sheep’s milk). Perfect as an aperitif, for a picnic, or simply at the table with everyday meals. A red wine to open without ceremony and share without hesitation.
Domaine Terre des Chardons
Since 1999, Jérôme Chardon has been running this unique mixed-farming estate in Bellegarde—vineyards, olive groves, and vegetable gardens—all cultivated entirely using Demeter biodynamic methods. Influenced by the mistral wind and grown on the rounded pebbles of the Costières, his reds develop a freshness and elegance more commonly associated with wines from the northern Rhône Valley than with those of the Languedoc.
Discover the estate’s other wines: Bien Luné 2024 (Grenache-Syrah, ready to drink now), Marginale 2023 (80% Syrah, 1★ Hachette Guide, aging potential until 2030), and our complete selection of organic wines from the Costières de Nîmes.
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