SKJ Domaines
Moulis-en-Médoc, Bordeaux, France
WHERE
Barbara & Max Julliot
WHO
Tiny quanitites, hands-off production, minimal sulphur additions. Carbonic maceration.
In conversion to Organic. Vin Méthode Nature.
HOW
« Le Vin de Tata » (W)
« Le Pink » (Ro)
« S » Haut-Médoc (R)
« K » Vin De France (R)
« J » Moulis-en-Médoc (R)
WINES
Husband and wife, Barbara and Max Julliot, have just taken over a small parcel of vines in Moulis with 2020 being their first vintage. Max ran an organic and biodynamic conversion consultancy firm, when a small parcel of old-vine Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon came available to rent from 2021. His only condition was that he could do a half vintage in 2020 to test the waters, soils and vines and we have managed to secure 120 of the 450 bottles produced of their very first vintage.
They are working out of a borrowed barn, so whilst we’d avoid the word “garagiste”, he’s one to look out for as he is rapidly gaining reputation and momentum in Bordeaux, Paris and soon, London. The cuvées are simply given initials: S, K, J and are stylistically very different from one another and from any classic Bordeaux. Think carbonic-macerated Merlot, zero to tiny sulphur additions and incredible aromatic intensity.
SKJ’s first vintage was in 2020, a tiny project from husband and wife team Barbara and Max Julliot. Based in Moulis, they are a far cry from traditional Bordeaux wines and approach winemaking with a lightness of touch and sense of fun.
Their Rosé is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Manual harvest, spontaneous fermentation in amphora, before spending 5 months in stainless steel vats.
This is a wonderfully bright fuchsia pink. Pure ripe strawberry and juicy peach on the nose. Supple, generous and dangerously gluggable.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
12% abv
Clay and Limestone soils.
Vin de France, Moulis-en-Médoc, Bordeaux
100% Merlot
12%
Sand, Gravel, Clay, Limestone
SKJ’s first vintage was in 2020, a tiny project from husband and wife team Barbara and Max Julliot. Based in Moulis, they are a far cry from traditional Bordeaux wines and approach winemaking with a lightness of touch and sense of fun.
Manual harvest. Semi-carbonic maceration in concrete. Natural yeast. No press wine. 4 weeks vatting. 4 months in stainless steel. Nothing added.
Deep, vibrant purple colour. On the nose intense crunchy red fruit with a floral undertone. Supple mouth with silky tannins. Somewhat youthful and will open with a decant or evolve with time in the bottle. The Morgon of the Médoc!
Vin de France, Moulis-en-Médoc, Bordeaux
Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard, Gerwurztraminer
Organic
SKJ’s first vintage was in 2020, a tiny project from husband and wife team Barbara and Max Julliot. Based in Moulis, they are a far cry from traditional Bordeaux wines and approach winemaking with a lightness of touch and sense of fun.
Vinified in porcelain to retain all the freshness of the varietals. White peach, pear and a twist of lemon.
Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux
90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
12%
Sandy, gravelly plateau.
SKJ’s first vintage was in 2020, a tiny project from husband and wife team Barbara and Max Julliot. Based in Moulis, they are a far cry from traditional Bordeaux wines and approach winemaking with a lightness of touch and sense of fun.
Harvested, destemmed and sorted by hand. The Merlots are vinified without sulfur in concrete vats. Foot treading after 3 days of maceration, partly whole berries, the rest crushed, particularly the Cabs. Natural fermentation. Further maceration to preserve the tannins, allowing barrel-aging. Vertical pressing carried out at low pressure. 3 months in 50% stainless steel and 50% first and second-fill barrels.