After completing his viticultural and winemaking studies at Beaune, Julien Mus returned to his family domaine on the outskirts of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Until then the grapes from the domaine had been sold off to the local co-op. The domaine consists of four hectares of AOC Côtes du Rhône and six hectares of Vin de Pays designated vineyards around Courthezon, to which Julien has added a small plot of AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape, located between those of Font de Michelle and Vieux Télégraphe, near the south-eastern border of the appellation. 

Julien is still honing his winemaking style, but his wines all have very pure, expressive fruit and have already attracted attention and high scores from the “Wine Advocate.” His Côtes du Rhône is 100% Grenache and is evocative and powerful, with dried fruit and rich pruneaux notes and benefits from the wonderful balance of this vintage.

Font de Crau is, as the names suggests a cuvee of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre from his 90 year old vines (three rows) on the galets stones of this famous corner of the plateau. The fruit is destemmed and fermented in traditional tank, and elevage is 18 months en cuve, 24 months in bottle before release. Puy de Safre is one small tank of 50% whole bunch 50% destemmed Grenache from the sandy (Safre) soil on the plateau (think Rayas). It is an eye opener and heralds a new style for Julien, and one that took real bravery. It is possibly one of the finest examples of terroir expression allied to Grenache I have tasted for a long time.