Vignobles Mayard has Gratien Mayard to thank for its existence today. At the end of the 19th century, Gratien resisted the temptation to leave for the United States after the phylloxera crisis. His love for his native land proved too overpowering so he replanted his vineyard vine by vine. His successors now run a domain covering 43 hectares and planted on excellent lieux-dits in the Châteauneuf du Pape appellation. They practice sustainable viticulture and control yields carefully to allow the terroir to express itself.

This cuvée originated in 1989 to celebrate the centenary of planting the finest plot of the domain. Its soils and sub-soils are rich in clay and the vines are blessed with optimal sunshine as well as a violent mistral wind which contributes to the concentration of the berries. The wine is only made in noteworthy vintages, for example 2017 or 2010 recently, and nowadays the vines are 125 years old. An explosive aromatic bouquet abounds, from blackcurrant to blackberry. On the palate it has impressive roundness with melted tannins. Its length is testimony to its status as "one of the greats".