Introduction: Château L'Ermite d'Auzan traces its viticultural roots to the 12th century, when the hermitage at Costières produced wine for pilgrims traveling the Santiago de Compostela route. Today the estate's 80 hectares are farmed by the Castillon family — now in their fourth generation — under father-and-son team Jérôme and Tanguy Castillon. Certified organic in 2020 and actively pursuing biodynamic and permaculture practices, the domaine sits in the southernmost reaches of the Costières de Nîmes, facing the Camargue and the Mediterranean, producing wines of genuine freshness and regional character at a remarkable price point.

Terroir: The estate occupies an ancient raised riverbed in the southern Costières de Nîmes, with soils of galets roulés — the rounded Durantian pebbles characteristic of the finest Southern Rhône terroirs. These well-draining stones retain daytime heat and radiate it back to the vines at night, accelerating ripening while the proximity to the Camargue and Mediterranean Sea provides cooling breezes that preserve acidity and aromatic freshness — a combination that gives the wines both the warmth of the south and a lightness rarely found at this latitude.

Appearance: Bright, frank garnet with good depth and clean clarity in the glass.

Nose: Intense and inviting, with ripe raspberry and red cherry from the Grenache leading the way, followed by the peppery, smoky, and garrigue-inflected notes of Syrah and Mourvèdre. Wild thyme, black pepper, licorice, and a hint of cassis add savory complexity, while the restrained oak treatment keeps the fruit honest and expressive.

Palate: Medium to full-bodied, generous, and satisfying, with bright red and dark fruit flavors carried by supple, smooth tannins and a lively Mediterranean acidity. The 15-day traditional fermentation extracts excellent fruit-tannin balance without heaviness, while the split aging — 75% in stainless steel and 25% in older French oak — preserves freshness and adds just enough structure to give the wine genuine food versatility. Warm and thirst-quenching in the best possible sense.

Finish: Long and warmly fruited, with black pepper, spice, and a pleasant mineral saltiness lingering through a clean, dry close. The finish is one of this wine's most appealing qualities — more length and character than the price suggests.

Food Pairings:
🥩 Meat: Grilled lamb chops with rosemary, côte de boeuf, or a slow-cooked Provençal daube
🥦 Vegetarian: Ratatouille, herbed lentil stew, or a roasted vegetable tian with olives and thyme
🧀 Charcuterie Board: Aged Comté, saucisson sec, black olives, Dijon mustard, and tapenade crostini

Overall Impression: The 2022 L'Ermite d'Auzan Rouge is a genuinely impressive organic and biodynamic Southern Rhône blend that punches well above its weight — structured, characterful, and generously fruited without sacrificing the freshness that sets this southernmost corner of the appellation apart. It is a wine for the table and immediate enjoyment. Serve at 61–64°F; drink now through 2027.

Alcohol by Volume (ABV %): 14%
Farming Practices: Certified organic since 2020; biodynamic practices; permaculture; homemade herbal treatments; no irrigation; 80 hectares; 4th generation family farming
Producer Name:Château L'Ermite d'Auzan (Castillon family — Jérôme & Tanguy Castillon)
Old World / New World: Old World
Country of Origin: France
Region: AOP Costières de Nîmes, Southern Rhône Valley — Saint-Gilles, Gard
Grape Varietals: Syrah 40%, Mourvèdre 30%, Grenache 30%
Vintage: 2022
Wine Style: Dry Red — Medium-to-full-bodied, fruit-forward, and lightly oaked, with a bright red and dark fruit profile shaped by galets roulés terroir and Mediterranean coastal influence. Approachable and food-friendly; built for immediate enjoyment with short-term aging potential.
Red Winemaking Techniques: Destemmed; traditional fermentation for 15 days; aged 6 months — 75% in stainless steel, 25% in 2nd and 3rd fill French oak 300L barrels; vegan and vegetarian friendly
Pack Size: 750ml
Container Style: Glass bottle
Closure Style: Screwcap