Théophile Milan "Reynard Rebels" Blend of Merlot &Carignan Vin de France MV

Producer: Domaine Henri Milan

Grapes: Merlot & Carignan

Where: Vin de France (St. Remy de Provence)

Country: France

Organic Farming

Taste: Crushed luxardo cherries, minerality and a hint of earth. Try it chilled.

Vibes With: Beef Tartare, Lab, Rabbit Stew

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Domaine Henri Milan covers 15 hectares and produce natural wines. From the moment Henri Milan planted his first vine at just 8 years old, he knew viticulture would be his life’s passion. In 1986, he took over the family property in the foothills of Provence’s Alpilles mountain range with the grand intention of growing the best, most characterful fruit the diverse soils there could yield and bottling as a domaine instead of selling to the local co-op as his parents had done. Milan began working organically as early as 1988, but many of the vines weren’t hardy enough to survive the conversion from conventional farming. With the help of famous microbiologist Claude Bourgignon, he created a soil map to serve as a guide for how to replant. The duo identified zones of blue marl laced with limestone and other zones characterized by Quaternary-based gravel and yellow sandstone. Focusing on grape varieties best adapted to the individual soil types and producing site-specific wines, they felt, was the way forward. The best suited varieties, however, were not necessarily those prescribed by the Baux de Provence AOP, so Milan withdrew from the appellation system in 2007, declassifying his wines to Vin de France and cementing his reputation as the region’s rebel.

In 2011 Henri's son Theophile began working the domaine with his father. Today he is responsible for all operations and handles vinification for the wines. In 2014, while on a trip to New York - Theo met Natalie, a Jacksonville native. Natalie grew up in Jax and cut her teeth in the food and beverage industry at some of the best restaurants Jacksonville has to offer including Orsay and Chew. During that time she developed a passion for wine and moved to New York City to continue her learning. She eventually landed a position as Sommelier at Michelin star restaurant, The Modern. While on a trip to promote his family's domaine among the restaurant scene in New York, Theo was introduced to Natalie and as they say, the rest is history. They were married in 2018 and have two beautiful children. Natalie is heavily involved in all parts of the family domaine, working in the vineyard, cellar, marketing, tasting room, entertaining clients and more.

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Reynard Rebels red wine comes from limestone argilo soils on rolled pebbles. This is a blending of two different vintages - 2017's Merlot and Carignan, and the 2018 Carignan. Both undergo a 5-day whole-cluster fermentation and benefited from a 12-month ageing in a concrete tank. It is an unglued wine, unfiltered, very few sulphites have been added.