A wine born from a sacred plot and a pioneering spirit, the 2007 Feu Sacré from Mas Cal Demoura channels the wild soul of old-vine Grenache in the Terrasses du Larzac. Aromatically complex—with notes of black raspberry, sandalwood, tobacco, and a hint of iodine—it carries a quiet power wrapped in fine-grained tannins. This is a wine of depth and grace, fermented with native yeasts and aged with patience, revealing the quiet intensity of Languedoc's rising terroirs. A velvet-gloved expression of the past, present, and promise of southern France.

The Wine Advocate | RP 91
Published: Aug 31, 2011

The Cal Demoura 2007 Coteaux du Languedoc Terrasses du Larzac Feu Sacre represents once again a single parcel of old Grenache vines (mingled with a few of other, un-specifiable cepages). Black raspberry and strawberry mingle with sandalwood and diverse tobaccos as well as a medicinal amalgam of iodine and bittersweet herbal concentrate, for a rich aromatic and palate display. Saturated with fine-grained tannin; both seductively fruity and densely structured for a decade or more of integrity; this finishes with impressive yet velvet-gloved grip. (No Feu Sacre was bottled from 2008, and Goumard was not yet ready to show the 2009 at the time of my April visit.)

Vincent Goumard – for more about whose estate and methods, consult my account in issue 183 – has more than merely fine-tuned his approach in both the vineyard and cellar. Among the significant changes are an ongoing organic conversion; the introduction of a sorting table with the 2008 vintage; and the harvest of Carignan earlier and at lower alcohol for what Goumard calls “a complete change in the expression of this cepage,” strikingly evident amid the exciting raw materials for the estate’s 2010s. “After fermentation of the 2010 Syrahs, you thought you were in the Northern Rhone,” says Goumard, and the effusively floral and illusively carnal evidence remained abundant when I tasted from barrel in April.

Caldemoura.com

A very special Place · In the heart of the Terrasses du Larzac · Our wines are certified organic and from a biodynamic approach to the vine and cellar.

“Cal Demoura”: “We must stay in Occitan”
Symbol of the magnetism of a great terroir
Founded in the early 1990s, Mas Cal Demoura is one of the pioneering estates that contributed to the qualitative revolution of Languedoc wines. Since 2004, Isabelle and Vincent Goumard have focused their energies on interpreting the great terroirs around Jonquières in the heart of the Terrasses du Larzac and introducing the wine world to these magnificent terroirs.

Revealing the magic of our land
When the grapes arrive in the cellar, the essential potential is there. 
Our role is to accompany, in the most natural way possible, 
A very gentle work in vinification, plot vinifications on indigenous yeasts, infusion to favor the subtlety of the expressions Allow time for our wines to grow and find their fullness by aging in adapted plots (foudres, demi-muids or vats) Develop subtle balances through our blends thanks to the variety of terroirs and grape varieties…

Technical Specs

Alcohol: Not confirmed for the 2007 vintage
Closure: Natural Cork
Vintage: 2007
Grape Varieties: Predominantly old-vine Grenache, with small quantities of other, unspecified grape varieties
Vineyard: A single parcel of old Grenache vines in Terrasses du Larzac, Languedoc
Harvest: Hand-picked
Vinification: Fermented with indigenous yeasts; traditional extraction and extended maceration to develop depth, structure and complexity
Oak: Wooden barrels
Ageing: Exact ageing details for the 2007 vintage not confirmed
Producer: Mas Cal Demoura
Classification: Terrasses du Larzac AOC
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Appellation: Terrasses du Larzac AOC

Serving Temperature: 15–16°C
Decanting: Decant carefully for approximately 30 minutes, tasting periodically. As this is a mature wine, handle gently and check for sediment.
Food Pairing: Excellent with roast lamb, grilled beef, venison, slow-braised meats, herb-seasoned game and mature hard cheeses.