Château Saint-Cyrgues Costières de Nîmes

Languedoc-Rousillon Region

The Costières de Nîmes runs just north of the Camargue region of Southern France between the Rhône Valley and the Languedoc. Château Saint-Cyrgues is located on the southern side of the Costières de Nîmes, which were formed in prehistoric times by alluvion deposits from the Durance and Rhône rivers. The ground is composed of moulded flint shingles and stones. The estate, 40 or so hectacres, is in between le Puech de Dardaillon and the historic site of Espeyran. Espeyran was an important Hellenic trading post situated strategically on one of the arms of the Rhône. The site appears to have seen the passage of numerous commercial commodities.

Archeological digs reveal the presence of many ceramics including different varieties of amphora coming from various regions of the Mediterranean. Amphoras were used to transport wine, amongst other things. One can therefore presume that wine has been flowing for many years around the Domaine Saint-Cyrgues.

The Château Saint-Cyrgues is located on the same site that the St. Cyrice des Marges Church, which was destroyed around 1654. This church was part of the Prieuré de St. Cyrgues with its Psalmodié abbey, inhabited by monks who also cultivated vines. There are no remains of the ancient Priory today. The Domaine, probably confiscated during the Revolution as being Ecclesiastic property, changed ownership many times. One of the owners had a son who emigrated to the United States, and in his honor named one of his parcels L'Amerique. The property was later left to waste.

In 1991 a young Swiss couple, Evelyne and Guy de Mercurio, fell in love with the area and decided to return the property to its previous glory. After researching its history, they re-baptized the Domaine with its original name.

Guy de Mercurio

The vineyards cover 30 hectares (74 acres), and the soil is composed of a mixture of galets roulés (large red stones), smaller stones and silex. Seven grapes are grown on the property, those being Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Merlot, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc. Yields in the Costières de Nîmes are not to exceed 60 hl/ha (4 tons an acre). However, de Mercurio's yields never exceed 45 hl / ha (3 tons an acre). About half of the grapes are harvested by hand, the rest by machine. The Cuvée Anna is named after one of the de Mercurio's daughters and displays exceptional value.

Anna de Mercurio

Cuvée Anna White: Made with a blend of 65% Roussanne and 35% Grenache Blanc. Vinified and raised in stainless steel. White fruits, citrus and floral notes highlight this dry, crisp wine.

Cuvée Anna Rosé: Made with 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache. Raspberry aromas and flavors with bright citrus finishing notes. Crisp, clean and thirst-quenching.

Cuvée Anna Red: Made with 100% Syrah, a portion that was aged in oak cask. Red fruits (raspberry) with just a touch of smoked meat. Rich and round on the palate, and versatile at the table. Good, solid everyday red.

Cuvée l'Amerique Red: Made with 90% Syrah and 10% Grenache and aged in oak barrels (30% new) for twelve months then bottled without filtration. It shows notes of red and black fruits, a touch of smoked meat, violet and crushed black pepper. It makes a wonderful accompaniment to roasted meats, particularly lamb or pork.

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