Marsovin’s Grand Maitre 2010 vintage – Fra Antoine de Paule - will be launched on Tuesday.

The wine is the 13th vintage of the Grand Maitre, produced from grapes grown in Marsovin’s private estate at Għajn Riħana. The first vintage was dedicated to Grand Master Philippe Villiers de L’Isle Adam in 1998.

The superior quality of Grand Maitre is enjoying overseas recognition, as Grand Maitre is exported to Japan, Hong Kong and China.

This year’s vintage is dedicated to Grand Master Antoine de Paule, who led the Knights of St John between 1623 and 1636. Each vintage is dedicated to a different Grand Master in chronological order.

The 2010 vintage was characterised by the relatively warmer temperatures and drier weather during the winter months of November, January and February, followed by cooler temperatures during the summer months.

These conditions resulted in a lower-than-average yield, particularly for the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, which produced a well-structured, concentrated, full-bodied wine with a natural alcohol of around 13 per cent. The wine is characterised by its typical intense fruity bouquet and velvety smooth tannins, brought about by over 12 months’ ageing in new French barriques. It will mature well for at least eight to 10 years in the right storage conditions.

The Għajn Riħana estate spans over an area of 1.6 hectares, situated between the Bidnija hills and Wardija, in the north of Malta.

The vineyard is densely planted with 14,000 vines of two noble French grape varieties, made up of equal quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

Grand Maitre is available in wooden boxes of six or three bottles.

It is also available in single bottles in an exclusively-designed complimentary presentation box.

E-mail cellars@marsovin.com.mt or call 2366 2401/2366 2445 between Monday and Friday from 9am to 3pm.

www.marsovin.com