Block selections

The working style is analogous to that for the Compostelle blends, but some of these wines are marketed as Vin de Pays because they do not qualify for the AOC specifications due to their varietal nature or the type of grape variety used.

For the white, we make a blend of Viognier and Chardonnay, and for the red, a Shiraz and a blend based on Merlot.

Grape varieties

Mourvèdre (50%), Grenache (50%).

Tasting notes

Garnet colour.
The bouquet is a mixture of the Grenache red berries (ripe raspberries) with the cocoa notes that are characteristic of old Mourvèdre vines.
Whilst the palate's attack is typical of the fullness of old Grenaches, the structure of the Mourvèdre comes in to hold the finish on concentrated and long tannins. Ripe fruits give way to spicy notes (nutmeg, clove) and roasted flavours.

Cultivation

Selected from two fifty-year-old plots of Mourvèdre and Grenache on a Villafranchian soil of sedimentary stones facing south-southwest at a place called "Combe Nézière".

Vinification

Grapes are picked by hand..
25 days of vat fermentation after a simple de-stemming.
Sustained temperature fermentation (29-31°C).
Aged for 12 months in new barrels (20%) and barrels from Grand Cru Classé (Smith Haut-Lafitte, Pape Clément).

Food and wine matching

Joint of beef. Serving temperature 16-17°C.

Grape varieties

100% Syrah.

Production

3 600 bottles.

Tasting notes

Deep ruby colour.
On the nose, all the characteristics of the southern Shiraz's are present in this blend. Black fruits (mulberries) dominate hints of wood giving soft spice (nutmeg) and liquorice notes.
The palate, very refined, stands out by having good strength and distinguished tannins, the fruits and spicing combining voluptuously.

Terroir

Old vineyard block of Shiraz called "La Butte" - "The Mound" - on exposed land, endows the vine with moderate food and water throughout the vegetative cycle. From this comes well-balanced phenolic ripeness.

Vinification

Maceration for 30 days
Warm running off of the wine into barrels that have been used for a wine coming from one of the Great classified growths
Maturation for 12 months
Bottling without filtering or fining.

Food and wine matching

Large cuts of beef, jugged hare or rack of lamb.

Grape varieties

75% Viognier, 25% Chardonnay.

Production

3 200 bottles.

Tasting notes

Golden yellow colour.
Strong nose, real explosion of fruit and flowers (pineapple preserve, passion fruit).
The palate, dense and fresh, reveals a wide palette of aromas, again characterised by fruits with white flesh and floral notes (honeysuckle). Fairly remarkable length (of about 10 seconds) for a complex and sensuous wine.

Terroir

Two vineyard blocks classified as AOC, but presenting a specific micro-climate that is characterised by cool nights, ideal conditions for slow maturation of these two great northern grape varieties.

Vinification

Cold settling(4°C)
Running off of the wine into barrels that have been used for a wine coming from the Sauternes area (Château d'Yquem) for a period of 6 months.
Alcoholic fermentation in barrels with controlled temperature (18°C).

Food and wine matching

Lobster, semi-cooked foie gras or scallops.

Grape varieties

100% Merlot.

Production

1 200 bottles.

Tasting notes

Very deep ruby colour.
Intense nose with remarkable complexity. Small dark fruit typical of a Merlot harvested at full ripeness, combining with spices and the garrigue - scrubland of southern France (thyme).
On the palate, this growth shows itself to have good structure with tight tannins, bringing freshness and definite length in the mouth. Mulberries and blackcurrants are prolonged on notes of thyme and bay leaves.

Terroir

Only block of merlot with a South-East aspect on round Villafranchian pebbles.

Vinification

Maceration for 30 days
Warm running off of the wine into barrels that have been used for a wine coming from one of the Great classified growths (Pape Clément)
Maturation for 12 months
A single fining using egg white
Bottling without filtering

Food and wine matching

Haunch of venison, coq au vin.