This beautiful estate, owned by Maurice Barnouin, is located in the hills northwest of Nîmes, in the western Rhône Valley near the town of Uzes and the famous Pont du Gard. The viticultural area lies just outside the Costières de Nîmes appellation and is only entitled to label its wines as Vin de Pays des Cévennes. The wines of Domaine de Gournier however, aspire to greater stature than this simple designation. Being up in the hills, this vineyard is surrounded by the garrigue as well as low limestone hills which are studded with calcareous rock and sparse clumps of wind-beaten vegetation. The micro-climate for this vineyard is quite cool, allowing the chardonnay vines to thrive.
The Barnouin family were pepinierists by trade (vine rootstock and clone experts), and Maurice’s father was a pioneer in the regions re-planting with low-yielding, intensely flavored varietals like Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Merlot. The Chardonnay vines at Gournier are pruned for hand-harvesting to ensure the most stringent selection of grapes for the best wine possible. Fermentation takes place both in barrel (60% in new oak) and in stainless steel tank, with the wine aged on the lees for six months before bottling. The flavors are rich and complex. Notes of fresh pear and a hint of butter fat mingle with scents of vanilla and smoke. This lovely, medium-bodied wine has a richness that is balanced by the clean, pure finish.
$11.99 per bottle or $122.30/cs ($10.19)